The Las Vegas Desert Dogs enter the 2026-27 National Lacrosse League season looking to turn a narrow playoff miss into their next breakthrough. Las Vegas went 8-10 last season, matching two playoff qualifiers but finishing ninth.

Coach Shawn Williams returns with goaltender Nick Damude, proven scorer Austin Shanks and two first-round defensive draft selections. Entering its fifth season, Las Vegas must determine how these newcomers fit alongside its returning players.

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Fans can follow the Desert Dogs on FloLacrosse and the FloSports app throughout the season.

What To Know About The Las Vegas Desert Dogs In 2026-27

• 2025-26 record: 8-10; ninth place; missed the playoffs.
• Head coach: Shawn Williams.
• Season opener: Dec. 5, 2026, vs. Colorado Mammoth, 10 p.m. ET.
• Where to watch: FloLacrosse and the FloSports app.

How Did The Las Vegas Desert Dogs Finish The 2025-26 NLL Season?

Las Vegas finished 8-10 and ninth in the 14-team NLL standings. San Diego and Halifax also went 8-10 but secured the final two playoff spots.

Williams described the campaign as the franchise's strongest in a home-opener announcement. Matching those records without qualifying made the postseason miss especially narrow.

The target for 2026-27 is clear: turn a near miss into a playoff berth. Offseason additions give Las Vegas new options in goal, on offense and on defense.

Who Is The Las Vegas Desert Dogs Head Coach In 2026-27?

Shawn Williams returns as Las Vegas' head coach in 2026-27. Cody Moll serves as general manager.

Williams will evaluate new options in goal and on offense, along with two defensive draft picks. How they fit with returning players remains an important preseason question.

What Are 3 Las Vegas Desert Dogs Roster Storylines To Watch In 2026-27?

1. Nick Damude Joins The Competition In Goal

Las Vegas selected Nick Damude second in the dispersal draft and signed him to a three-year deal. The Desert Dogs also re-signed Landon Kells for one year.

Both are options in goal, but neither signing establishes an opening-night starter or workload split. How Williams handles that competition could become one of Las Vegas' defining early-season decisions. For a team seeking more wins, that choice will command attention during preseason preparations.

2. Austin Shanks Brings A 65-Point Season To The Attack

Austin Shanks signed a three-year deal after producing 65 points in 18 games with Saskatchewan in 2025-26.

Shanks scored 28 goals, including nine on the power play, and added 37 assists. His production gives the Desert Dogs an experienced attacking option, though his exact role and special-teams assignment remain unconfirmed. Can he help turn last season's narrow playoff miss into a postseason berth?

3. Michael White And Owen Tasse Add Defensive Potential

Las Vegas chose defenders Michael White fourth overall and Owen Tasse 11th in the 2026 NLL entry draft.

White signed a three-year deal, while Tasse's immediate playing availability remains unverified. Neither pick is guaranteed an opening-night roster spot. Using both first-round picks on defense highlights the club's investment in that part of the roster. Their development could help shape Las Vegas' future.

How To Watch The Las Vegas Desert Dogs In The 2026-27 NLL Season

Fans can watch Las Vegas Desert Dogs games during the 2026-27 National Lacrosse League season on FloLacrosse and the FloSports app.

FloLacrosse streams the NLL regular season and playoffs, letting fans follow Las Vegas from its opener against Colorado through its push for a postseason berth.

What Is The Las Vegas Desert Dogs 2026-27 NLL Schedule?

Las Vegas plays 18 games, nine at home and nine away. The Desert Dogs open Dec. 5 against Colorado and finish April 24 against Saskatchewan, both at home.

All times Eastern (ET).

• Dec. 5, 2026: Colorado Mammoth at Las Vegas Desert Dogs, 10 p.m. ET
• Dec. 18, 2026: Rochester Knighthawks at Las Vegas Desert Dogs, 10:30 p.m. ET
• Jan. 9, 2027: Oshawa FireWolves at Las Vegas Desert Dogs, 10 p.m. ET
• Jan. 22, 2027: Las Vegas Desert Dogs at Toronto Rock, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Jan. 23, 2027: Las Vegas Desert Dogs at Oshawa FireWolves, 7 p.m. ET
• Jan. 30, 2027: Buffalo Bandits at Las Vegas Desert Dogs, 10 p.m. ET
• Feb. 6, 2027: Las Vegas Desert Dogs at Saskatchewan Rush, 8 p.m. ET
• Feb. 12, 2027: Georgia Swarm at Las Vegas Desert Dogs, 10:30 p.m. ET
• Feb. 20, 2027: Vancouver Warriors at Las Vegas Desert Dogs, 11 p.m. ET
• March 5, 2027: Las Vegas Desert Dogs at Vancouver Warriors, 10 p.m. ET
• March 13, 2027: Las Vegas Desert Dogs at Calgary Roughnecks, 9 p.m. ET
• March 18, 2027: Calgary Roughnecks at Las Vegas Desert Dogs, 10 p.m. ET
• March 20, 2027: Las Vegas Desert Dogs at Colorado Mammoth, 9 p.m. ET
• March 27, 2027: Las Vegas Desert Dogs at Rochester Knighthawks, 7 p.m. ET
• April 2, 2027: San Diego Seals at Las Vegas Desert Dogs, 10:30 p.m. ET
• April 10, 2027: Las Vegas Desert Dogs at San Diego Seals, 10 p.m. ET
• April 17, 2027: Las Vegas Desert Dogs at Halifax Thunderbirds, 6 p.m. ET
• April 24, 2027: Saskatchewan Rush at Las Vegas Desert Dogs, 10 p.m. ET

FloLacrosse Archived Footage

Video footage from the event will be archived and stored in a video library for FloLacrosse subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscription.

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