Game Preview: Roughnecks vs. Desert Dogs

Setting The Scene:

The Roughnecks (4–10) are back on the road for the second week in a row and have a date in Sin City Saturday with the Las Vegas Desert Dogs (6-7). Face-off is set for 8 p.m. on TSN+, ESPN+ and NLL+.

Las Vegas is coming in with momentum after picking up a pair of wins over Rochester at home and on the road in Week 16 and 17. The Desert Dogs are hanging on to the final playoff spot heading into Week 18 against the Riggers.

The Roughnecks are coming off a 14-12 loss in a tight battle last weekend in Colorado and are looking to get back into the win column. Tyler Pace had a huge game offensively posting nine points (5G, 4A) and Carter Cook picked up his first-career NLL goal in the battle.

Ready for takeoff ✈️ pic.twitter.com/aVwsAbCQie

— Calgary Roughnecks (@NLLRoughnecks) March 22, 2026

Heading into Week 18, Roughnecks forward Tanner Cook is currently fourth in the league in goals with 37. Forward Haiden Dickson is just two assists shy of reaching 100 in his career, and Justin Inacio continues to dazzle at the dot with 235 face-off wins putting him third in the NLL.

Head-To-Head:

Saturday marks the first and only meeting this season between the two teams. Last season they met twice, with the Roughnecks taking a win at the Rough House and on the road in Vegas.

Players To Watch:
Roughnecks: F Tanner Cook: The Ontario product is continuing his career-season with 37 goals and still has four games left to rack up more. Cook has tallied five or more points in each of his last four games played heading into Week 18.