Week 18 in the National Lacrosse League features four games on Saturday and another on Sunday. I have best bets for four of those games, so let’s take a look at my picks for this weekend.
Note: The odds presented below are those at the time when Hutton sends his picks out on the Action App and are subject to change.
Rochester Knighthawks at Oshawa FireWolves
 Rochester Moneyline/Spread | -120 / -1.5 |
 Oshawa Moneyline/Spread | -105 / +1.5 |
| Total | 24.5 |
| Time | Saturday · 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via TheScore Bet
Both the Knighthawks and FireWolves enter Saturday’s game with their playoff hopes on life support. A loss for Rochester would be their eighth in nine games, while Oshawa would be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss.
I’m expecting a close game between these teams. I think Rochester is the better team on paper, but they’ve been plagued by major goaltending issues and the decision to switch coaches has yielded little success. Instead of betting a side, I’m targeting the total of 24.5.
Despite being on the higher side, I actually expect this game to still go over the total. Rochester has scored the third-most goals per game (11.8), but is allowing the most per game (13.2). Meanwhile, the FireWolves are allowing the fourth-most goals per game (11.6) and seven of their last 10 games have gone over this total. They have the weapons to take advantage of this weak Knighthawks defense and should do their part to push this total over. Bet Over 24.5 at +105 on TheScore Bet or +100 on FanDuel.
Pick: Over 24.5
Halifax Thunderbirds at Georgia Swarm
 Georgia Moneyline/Spread | -140 / -1.5 |
 Ottawa Moneyline/Spread | +110 / +1.5 |
| Total | 21 |
| Time | Saturday · 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via Caesars
We’re getting an elite goaltending battle in Ottawa on Saturday night and I’m betting another Swarm under. Last week, Georgia’s Brett Dobson’s MVP campaign got back on track as he held Halifax to just nine goals through 3.5 quarters. The Thunderbirds managed to rally once Dobson left the game and then got one more past him when he returned for the final minute of regulation. It was a pathetic final five minutes from the Swarm defense, but is an outlier when looking at the defense’s track record this season.
Georgia is allowing the league’s fewest goals per game at 8.7 and games featuring the Swarm are averaging just 19 goals per game. Furthermore, nine of their 14 games have had 20 or fewer goals. Zach Higgins and the Black Bears are allowing just 9.7 goals per game in their last six games and eight of their 15 games have stayed under 21 total goals.
Ultimately, I trust both goalies and the defenses in front of them to keep this total low. Almost every sportsbook has 20.5, but Caesars is hanging 21. I’d still bet under 20.5, but like the potential of a push if this game ends up finishing 11-10. Bet Under 21 at -120 on Caesars.
Pick: Under 21
Calgary Roughnecks at Las Vegas Desert Dogs
 Calgary Moneyline/Spread | +105 / +1.5 |
 Las Vegas Moneyline/Spread | -135 / -1.5 |
| Total | 25.5 |
| Time | Saturday · 10 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via bet365
Another matchup between teams fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive takes place in Las Vegas. The Desert Dogs and Roughnecks have been extremely competitive this season, despite having records below .500. I think this game is appropriately priced on the spread and moneyline, so am taking a look at the total instead.
Neither team has been all that good defensively this season, ranking second and third-worst in goals against average. Yet, both defenses have played better recently, and I actually expect this game to stay a few goals under the total of 25.5. Las Vegas has started Alex Buque in back-to-back games and is expected to do so again on Saturday night. Buque is an improvement over Landon Kells, allowing 11.35 goals per game and stopping 76.3% of shots. The Desert Dogs defense, which added defender Tyson Bell at the trade deadline, has also looked better than earlier in the season and is allowing fewer quality shots.
Meanwhile, Calgary’s defense has also been solid, allowing 10.7 goals per game through its last six games. I trust Roughnecks starter Aden Walsh to stifle the Desert Dogs offense that will be without Chase Fraser once again. Bet this game to stay Under 25.5 at -115 at most sportsbooks.
Pick: Under 25.5
Toronto Rock at Philadelphia Wings
 Toronto Moneyline/Spread | -188 / +1.5 |
 Philadelphia Moneyline/Spread | +152 / -1.5 |
| Total | 21.5 |
| Time | Sunday · 1 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via FanDuel
The Wings host the Rock in Philly’s second game of the weekend. On Friday, Philadelphia fell to Halifax in a tight 8-6 loss. The Wings are no strangers to upsetting good teams and while players like Lukas Nielsen and Dalton Young have been bright spots for a team that traded away impactful forwards like Joe Resetarits and Blaze Riorden two games ago.
Unfortunately, they’re facing a Toronto team that has won six of their last eight and four of those wins have come against teams currently in a playoff spot. I don’t expect Philly to be able to keep up with an offense scoring the fifth-most goals per game. Toronto has wins over the two best teams in the NLL (Vancouver and Saskatchewan) in the past three weeks and has shown no signs of slowing down.
Trust Toronto to build a lead and win by multiple goals on Sunday afternoon. Bet Toronto Rock -1.5 at -124 on FanDuel.
Pick: Toronto Rock -1.5
2025-26 NLL Season Best Bets: 52-44 for +12.29 units (ROI +12.8%)
All bets are to win 1 unit or more (i.e. 1.2 units at -120, 1 unit at +120) unless otherwise specified.
