The National Lacrosse League really gets going in Week 3 with all 14 teams finally in action. I have bets in four of the seven games this weekend. Let’s take a look at the side and three totals I’m betting.
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.
Colorado Mammoth at Philadelphia Wings
 Colorado Moneyline/Spread | -145 / -1.5 |
 Philadelphia Moneyline/Spread | +115 / +1.5 |
| Total | 22.5 |
| Time | Saturday · 1 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via TheScore Bet
I talked about this game last week and gave out Mammoth -1.5 at +118 odds at the time. Since then, we got some news that Andrew Kew is doubtful, which would be a notable loss for Colorado. That being said, I still like betting Colorado to cover at better odds now (Mammoth -1.5 is +135 on bet365) despite potentially no Kew. Will Malcolm is good enough to hold his own on the left side, and Philly will be without Michael Sowers this week.
Ultimately, most of my handicap a week ago still applies. The Wings lost Mitch Jones, Mitch De Snoo, Tony Malcolm and Shane Simpson this offseason, and I have my doubts about this defense that hasn’t been good since Zach Higgins left (and wasn’t particularly good even with him). As for Colorado, the most encouraging sign from their Week 1 win over Vancouver was Dillon Ward recapturing his 2022 NLL Finals MVP form and holding a talented Warriors offense to just seven goals. I think Philly will have their hands full against Colorado and still recommend betting Mammoth -1.5 at +135 on bet365.
Pick: Colorado Mammoth -1.5
Halifax Thunderbirds at Buffalo Bandits
 Halifax Moneyline/Spread | +155 / +1.5 |
 Buffalo Moneyline/Spread | -200 / -1.5 |
| Total | 23.5 |
| Time | Saturday · 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via BetRivers
The Halifax Thunderbirds delivered an impressive performance in their season opener, with goaltender Warren Hill tying the record for fewest goals allowed, giving up just two to Oshawa. I said that for Halifax to make another deep postseason run, Hill would need to play much better than last season, and he got off to a great start.
That said, he’s had great games in the past and the next step is consistency. One concern for Halifax’s Week 3 matchup with Buffalo is less Hill, and more this Thunderbirds’ transition defense that still gives up too many fast breaks. The FireWolves couldn’t make them pay last week, but the Bandits certainly will.
Yet, Halifax’s offense is good enough to hang with Buffalo, even without Thomas Hoggarth, who suffered a brutal lower-body injury last week. Buffalo let a Georgia team that lost a couple of key pieces this offseason hang around and the Swarm were particularly effective scoring from range. The Thunderbirds are a team that has also shown they can score from deep, and their ball movement should be able to break this Buffalo defense enough to help make this a high-scoring game.
I think the total is a tad too low and am expecting a lot of goals on Saturday night. Bet Over 23.5 at -105 on bet365.
While I think the moneyline is fairly accurate at most sportsbooks, BetRivers is offering the Thunderbirds at +155 on the moneyline, which is around 20 cents higher than everywhere else. I’m not sure the Thunderbirds win, but these odds are too high for Halifax, even against the defending champs. If you have access to BetRivers (and aren’t extremely limited), then I think splitting a unit on Thunderbirds +1.5 (+100) and Thunderbirds ML (+155) is worth it, even if it’s not a best bet for me.
Pick: Over 23.5
Oshawa FireWolves at Georgia Swarm
 Oshawa Moneyline/Spread | -115 / -1.5 |
 Georgia Moneyline/Spread | -105 / +1.5 |
| Total | 22.5 |
| Time | Saturday · 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via FanDuel
The Oshawa FireWolves travel to Georgia to face the Swarm. Oshawa’s offense has struggled to start the season and I’ve been concerned with how much they’ve relied on trying to win their individual matchups. Granted, Nick Rose and Warren Hill both made some tremendous saves in their two games, but I’m not sure this offense will be able to reach double digits against Brett Dobson.
On the other side, Georgia’s offense scored 11 against the defending champions, but Matt Vinc let in some shots that he typically saves. With the Swarm going up against Doug Jamieson, who currently has the second-best save percentage among starters at 84.7%, I’m expecting a low-scoring game altogether. Bet Under 22.5 at -104 on FanDuel.
Pick: Under 22.5
Rochester Knighthawks at San Diego Seals
 Rochester Moneyline/Spread | -110 / -1.5 |
 San Diego Moneyline/Spread | -120 / +1.5 |
| Total | 23.5 |
| Time | Sunday · 5 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via DraftKings
The final game I’m betting this week is on Sunday and features the Rochester Knighthawks and San Diego Seals. Led by 2025 MVP Connor Fields, Rochester has had one of the best offenses in the league during the past two seasons, and that should carry over into this year. San Diego looked strong offensively in their season opener two weeks ago as well.
Meanwhile, Rochester will be without defenders Ryland Rees and Tyler Biles to start the season and San Diego defender Danny Logan is questionable. The Seals allowed 13 goals in their season opener, and defense was an area of concern entering the season. Ultimately, given the personnel, I think this total is too low. Expect a high-scoring contest and bet Over 23.5 at -115 on most sportsbooks.
Pick: Over 23.5
2025-26 NLL Season Best Bets: 4-2 for +2.15 units
All bets are to win 1 unit or more (i.e. 1.2 units at -120, 1 unit at +120) unless otherwise specified.
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