The Weekend Preview: Teat vs. Thompson
By Josh Schafer | Jun 10, 2022
Happy Friday!
Normally, we’ll start this newsletter with one big thing to consider heading into the weekend. This week I’m thinking about starpower. Specifically I’m thinking about scorers.
Last weekend two of the world's best put on a show with a few other players in the PLL cloud. Atlas attack Jeff Teat tallied seven points, including a game-high five goals. Cannons attack Lyle Thompson followed that up similarly on Sunday with a six point performance that included a four-goal first half.
Teat dodged past defenders with swift stick movements, at times seemingly baiting defenders before pulling the rug out at the last second. Thompson used brute force, at one point shouldering his way through a hold to finish a fadeaway shot. They were the kind of plays a defensive coordinator just shrugs at.
Those are the best moments in sports: A dominant offensive player in a flow that can’t be uninterrupted. It’s obvious on the field the player can go where they wants, when they want. They know it. The defense knows it. The people watching on TV know it. This week we’ll see Teat and Thompson trading goal for goal Saturday on ESPN2. Cheers to that.
Needless to say, either Thompson or Teat is a must in your Player Royale each week. Here’s who I’m rolling with followed by a breakdown of the Week 2 matchups:
- Jeff Teat, A, Atlas LC
- Tom Schreiber, M, Archers LC
- Jarrod Neumann, D, Chaos LC
- Trevor Baptiste, FO, Atlas LC
- Blaze Riorden, G, Chaos LC
Chrome LC vs. Redwoods LC
Friday, June 10 at 6:00 p.m. ET | ESPN+
All-time series: Redwoods lead 2-1
Stat to know: 21%
The Redwoods shot 27% against Atlas last weekend. Atlas shot 48% from the field. Teams aren’t going to win a lot of games lagging that far behind in shooting percentage. Redwoods struggled to clamp down on Atlas’ offense but they likely won’t be the only team this year that can’t slow down Jeff Teat and Chris Gray. The Redwoods offense will be a key point to watch moving forward. How can they find more high quality looks, particularly in games when the defense isn’t leading the way?
Player Royale to consider: Redwoods defender Eddy Glazener
I didn’t take a player from this game on my team this week but in what could be a low scoring I like picking the leader of a solid Redwoods defense.
Why Chrome: Chrome hung on for a win over the Archers in Week 1. Behind a strong day from Connor Farrell and a solid rookie debut from Brendan Nichtern, Chrome proved that offseason doesn’t automatically mean bad results. Farrell should negate any advantage Redwoods often has in the faceoff stripe. Chrome’s offense looked solid without large contributions from Logan Wisnauskus. If the first overall pick emerges this week, Redwoods may have another long week on defense.
Why the Redwods: Redwoods has one of the most talented rosters in the PLL and therefore it's hard not to like their matchup nearly every week. They have a veteran-led defensive unit that might be able to confuse a younger Chrome offense that hasn’t played much together. Combine that with the advantage from beyond the two-point arc, and there’s plenty to like about the Redwoods in this game.
The pick: The Redwoods looked a bit out of sorts in Week 1. I’m not picking that to happen two weeks ago. The Redwoods bounce back here.
Chaos LC vs. Archers LC
Friday, June 10 at 8:45 p.m. ET | ESPN+
All-time series: Chaos leads 5-1
Stat to know: 5
Chaos outscored Archers by five goals across the team's final two matchups of 2021. While the goal differential wasn’t huge, Chaos defense had its way with the Archers down the stretch. Watch for how physical Chaos comes out on Friday night. With the Archers likely not having Grant Ament, a suffocating Chaos defense could control the game.
Player Royale to consider: Chaos goalie Blaze Riorden
If you can get the best player in the world as a tier 2 player, you take him. It’s that simple.
Why Chaos: Picking with the best goalie in the world is never a bad move. But more importantly Chaos has had Archers number. While the defending champs are still without a lot of contributors on offense, its defense remains intact. Picking Chaos here is picking a defensive victory.
Why the Archers: After a quick start last week, the Chaos offense stalled. The Archers strong defense could likely hold Chaos scoreless for a long stretch at some point in this game. If the Archers can get out and run, it’s easy to see how a quick burst of scoring could be the separating factor. While Chaos has had it’s way with a potent Archers offense, if Will Manny and Marcus Holman have opportunities in odd-man scenarios they won’t miss often.
The pick: Unless Blaze Riorden saves the day in net for Chaos, the Archers have a big offensive advantage here that wins out.
Atlas LC vs. Cannons LC
Saturday, June 11 at 6 p.m. ET | ESPN2
All-time series: Atlas leads 3-0
Stat to know: 33
The league’s two highest scoring teams in Week 1 are set to square-off on Saturday night. The Cannons and Atlas combined for 33 goals in Week 1 and you should expect more of the same this week. With Teat and Chris Gray on one side and Thompson and Asher Nolting on the other, these two offenses have the kind of scoring ability teams will try to slow down but can’t fully stop each week.
Player Royale to consider: Atlas FO Trevor Baptiste
Baptiste led the league in Week 1 with a 63% win rate at the stripe. He also tallied three points and grabbed eight groundballs. Few faceoff men will have better weeks in the Player Royale than that. Add in a favorable matchup against Stephen Kelly this week, and Baptiste is a lock on my fantasy team.
Why the Cannons: Thompson and Nolting clicked instantly last week, which will create a matchup nightmare for team’s hoping to double Thompson. The Cannons and Nick Marrocco likely have the goalie advantage entering this one as Atlas searches for a top option between the pipes. If the Cannons can distribute like they did last week, they’ll be a tough out in this one. But if it becomes a game too heavily reliant on Thompson’s stick, that’s advantage Atlas.
Why the Atlas: Atlas looked like the best team in the PLL last week and it wasn’t particularly close. The offense shot nearly 50% from the field and seemingly scored at will. While it didn’t get exploited often last week, continue to watch how teams approach the Cannons offensive heavy midfield. Atlas Midfielders like Bryan Costabile, Peter Dearth and Danny Logan can get out and run in transition. Perhaps they take advantage early.
The pick: Atlas was too dominant in Week 1 to not pick them again.
Whipsnakes LC vs. Waterdogs LC
Saturday, June 11 at 8:45 p.m. ET | ESPN+
All-time series: Tied 1-1
Stat to know: 18%
The Whipsnakes and Waterdogs took the most shots of any PLL team last weekend. They also scored two of the lowest totals and posted the worst shooting percentages league wide. This could be a busy game for goalies Kyle Berhnlor and Matt DeLuca.
Player Royale to consider: Whipsnakes attack Matt Rambo
I don’t have a player from this game on my team but if you’re looking for value it has to be Matt Rambo. The 2019 league MVP is a tier 3 player this week. In another game without Zed Williams, it’s fair to reason the ball in Rambo’s stick quite a bit on Saturday and that usually leads to points.
Why the Whipsnakes: Last week the Waterdogs struggled to score and looked like a team that lacks an offensive identity. After three straight trips to the finals, the Whipsnakes don’t have that problem. Consistency will be the key for the Whipsnakes after starting slow last week.
Why the Waterdogs: The Waterdogs showed throughout last season that they can be a volatile scoring threat. While last week wasn’t one of those moments, their transition game can lead to quick scoring bursts. If Jake Withers can slow down Joe Nardella at the faceoff stripe, the Waterdogs could sneak out their first win of the year.
The pick: Until the Waterdogs play a more consistent game, the pick has to be the Whipsnakes here.
