The penultimate week in the National Lacrosse League regular season features all 14 teams in action, including two matchups on Friday night. Let’s take a look at my best bets for the Friday games of NLL Week 20.
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.
Toronto Rock at Ottawa Black Bears
 Toronto Moneyline/Spread | -135 / -1.5 |
 Ottawa Moneyline/Spread | +105 / +1.5 |
| Total | 21.5 |
| Time | Friday · 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via bet365
To start Week 20, we have a battle between two Ontario teams that has major ramifications on playoff seeding. Ottawa can greatly improve its chances of securing a playoff berth with a win. Toronto has already clinched a spot, but a home playoff game is still up for grabs. When these teams last faced, Toronto steamrolled Ottawa, 17-10. I think this second game will be closer (and lower-scoring), so I’m not betting a side or the total and instead targeting two player props.
First, I’m betting Owen Hiltz Over 1.5 Goals at -130 on bet365. Hiltz scored a pair in the first meeting between these teams and has had multiple goals in 12 of Toronto’s 16 games this season. With Mark Matthews out of the lineup, I expect CJ Kirst to be the main facilitator on the left side and draw more attention, which should force the Rock to lean on Hiltz more as a goal scorer. Bet on him to have another multi-goal game on Friday night.
On the flipside, I’m betting Jeff Teat Under 2.5 Goals at -120 on bet365. Teat has been held to two goals or fewer in 10 of 16 games this season. Betting against one of the most prolific players in the league is always a gamble, but I don’t see Teat scoring more than two goals or even taking a ton of shots, for that matter.
Furthermore, Toronto’s defense has been excellent, allowing an average of just nine goals per game when starter Nick Rose plays the majority of minutes. Teat had two goals when these teams last faced, but Rose didn’t play and Teat also recorded a season-low nine shots on goal. It was his only single-digit SOG total this season. Trust Toronto’s defense to keep Teat below his goal total on Friday.
Picks: Owen Hiltz Over 1.5 Goals, Jeff Teat Under 2.5 Goals
Halifax Thunderbirds at Vancouver Warriors
 Halifax Moneyline/Spread | +140 / +1.5 |
 Vancouver Moneyline/Spread | -165 / -1.5 |
| Total | 22.5 |
| Time | Friday · 9 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via BetMGM
The Halifax Thunderbirds have put together a nice two-game win streak, but I think it’s fool’s gold. Halifax has beat just one team that is currently above .500 and that came all the way back in Week 3 on December 13, 2025. They’re facing a Vancouver team that has been one of the best in the league, but just got embarrassed by Buffalo last weekend. The Warriors still have a chance at the top seed in the playoffs, and I expect them to come out hungry against a Halfiax team they match up well with.
Vancouver’s fast break offense should be able to take advantage of the Thunderbirds’ weakness in transition and Halifax will have a tough time scoring against this aggressive Warriors defense. This is one of my favorite spots of the season, making it the rare two-unit play for me. Bet two units on Vancouver Warriors -1.5 at -120 on bet365, BetMGM or TheScore Bet.
I also expect both Curtis Dickson and Jesse King to have a pair of goals in this game. Dickson has historically had a lot of success against Halifax, scoring five and three goals respectively in his last two games against the Thunderbirds. He’s also scored two or more goals in 12 of 16 games this season, so I recommend betting Curtis Dickson Over 1.5 Goals at -125 on bet365.
Jesse King has also fared well when facing Halifax, scoring two goals in each of his last two games against the Thunderbirds. Halifax has been soft in the middle of the floor, which is an area that King has found success this season. He’s also scored two or more goals in 10 of 16 games this season, so I like betting Jesse King Over 1.5 Goals at +150 on bet365.
Picks: Vancouver Warriors -1.5, Curtis Dickson Over 1.5 Goals, Jesse King Over 1.5 Goals
2025-26 NLL Season Best Bets: 55-49 for +10.6 units (ROI +10.1%)
All bets are to win 1 unit or more (i.e. 1.2 units at -120, 1 unit at +120) unless otherwise specified.
