Every National Lacrosse League team is in action in Week 8, with seven games on deck. Let’s take a look at my best bets for five of those games.
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.
Ottawa Black Bears at Buffalo Bandits
 Ottawa Moneyline/Spread | +180 / +2.5 |
 Buffalo | -235 / -2.5 |
| Total | 21.5 |
| Time | Friday · 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via BetRivers
The Black Bears travel to Buffalo to take on the Bandits and the line is pretty shocking considering how vulnerable Buffalo has looked this season. The Bandits are still a very good team, but they’ve already lost to Halifax and Rochester this season, and their average margin of victory in their three wins is just four goals. They shouldn’t be this big of favorites against a competent Ottawa team.
Buffalo is also dealing with some injuries on defense, with Mitch de Snoo out long-term and Zack Belter also potentially out for the second straight week. Ottawa has the offensive personnel to replicate how Rochester was able to attack and score on this banged-up Buffalo defense. With strong righty and lefty “quarterbacks” in Rob Hellyer and Jeff Teat and plenty of off-ball weapons that can score in the gritty areas around the crease, the Black Bears have upset potential on Friday. I think this game will be close throughout, and recommend taking a three-pronged approach to betting this game.
Bet to win a unit on Black Bears +2.5 at -127 on BetRivers, a 0.3 unit on Black Bears +1.5 at +135 on DraftKings, and a 0.2 unit on Black Bears ML at +185 on bet365.
Picks: Ottawa Black Bears +2.5, Ottawa Black Bears +1.5 (0.3 unit), Ottawa Black Bears ML (0.2 unit)
Calgary Roughnecks vs. Georgia Swarm (Neutral Site)
 Calgary Moneyline/Spread | -120 / -1.5 |
 Georgia Moneyline/Spread | +100 / +1.5 |
| Total | 21.5 |
| Time | Friday · 10 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via BetMGM
Both the Calgary Roughnecks and Georgia Swarm travel to Edmonton for the NLL’s annual “Unboxed” game. I think Edmonton fans will be treated to some quality lacrosse, but the scoring might come at a premium.
The Georgia Swarm has the best goals against average, allowing just 7.4 goals per game through five games. Goaltender Brett Dobson is making a strong case for goaltender of the year and he and the Swarm defense have allowed an average of just 5.5 goals in their last four games.
Calgary’s defense has also been solid, allowing 12.4 goals per game despite playing talented offenses in Saskatchewan, Toronto, Buffalo and Vancouver. As of now, the Swarm offense hasn’t been on the same level as those aforementioned teams, averaging a league-low 8.2 goals per game.
This total is 20.5 at most sportsbooks, but bet365 and BetMGM both have 21.5 — which is a key number when betting an under in a likely close game where overtime could be involved. Bet this game to stay Under 21.5 at -115 on BetMGM or -125 on bet365.
Pick: Under 21.5
Toronto Rock at Rochester Knighthawks
 Toronto Moneyline/Spread | +140 / +1.5 |
 Rochester Moneyline/Spread | -180 / -1.5 |
| Total | 24.5 |
| Time | Saturday · 8 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via bet365
Once again, one of the most prolific offenses in the league calls Rochester home. The Knighthawks lead the league in goals per game, scoring an average of 14.2. Games involving the Knighthawks have also averaged 25.8 goals. They’ll face a solid Toronto defense, but it will be without Latrell Harris and allowed 17 goals to a comparable Desert Dogs offense a few weeks ago.
The Toronto offense hasn’t been nearly as impressive, averaging just 10.25 goals per game, but has been improving, recording 12 goals last week. There is enough talent on this Toronto offense to put up points on an aggressive, yet streaky Rochester defense that has allowed an average of 12.75 goals in their last four games. I expect the Rock to do its part in pushing this total over.
Bet this game to go Over 24.5 at +110 on bet365.
Pick: Over 24.5
Oshawa FireWolves at Saskatchewan Rush
 Oshawa Moneyline/Spread | +185 / +1.5 |
 Saskatchewan Moneyline/Spread | -245 / -1.5 |
| Total | 20.5 |
| Time | Saturday · 8 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via BetRivers
Both the FireWolves and Rush are coming off big wins in Week 7, but line for their Week 8 matchup is surprisingly lopsided. After averaging just nine goals in their last four games, the Saskatchewan offense exploded with a 21-goal performance against Las Vegas last week. As impressive as they looked, I’d be shocked if they come close to that goal total this weekend, considering their Week 8 opponent.
With the exception of their 14-16 loss to the Black Bears, which saw the FireWolves allow four power play goals and two empty-net goals, Oshawa’s defense has allowed an average of just 8.8 goals against this season. While it’s the FireWolves offense that has held them back so far this season, they’ve scored 14 and 16 goals respectively in back-to-back games and should be able to test Frank Scigliano and this Saskatchewan defense.
Last year, the FireWolves played the Rush tight in both meetings and I expect another close game. This is another case of the odds are way too long, so we’ll take the same approach as in the Ottawa-Buffalo game. Bet to win a unit on FireWolves +2.5 at -139 on BetRivers, a 0.3 unit on FireWolves +1.5 at +120 on DraftKings, and a 0.2 unit on FireWolves ML at +185 on BetRivers.
Picks: Oshawa FireWolves +2.5, Oshawa FireWolves +1.5 (0.3 unit), Oshawa FireWolves ML (0.2 unit)
Philadelphia Wings at Las Vegas Desert Dogs
 Philadelphia Moneyline/Spread | +115 / +1.5 |
 Las Vegas Moneyline/Spread | -145 / -1.5 |
| Total | 26.5 |
| Time | Saturday · 10:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via Caesars
The final game of the weekend features the Philadelphia Wings and Las Vegas Desert Dogs. This total is high for a reason — these teams are allowing the most (Las Vegas) and third-most (Philadelphia) goals per game. Both offenses have also had high-scoring performances at points as well.
Yet, I still think the total of 26.5 is too high. Both FanDuel and TheScore posted 26.5 earlier in the week and while it has since moved on those sportsbooks, Caesars still has 26.5. During the past five seasons, 26.5 is the second-highest we’ve seen on a U.S. sportsbook, and the last time we saw a 26.5, the game stayed under by seven goals. Last year’s lone 27.5, also featuring Philadelphia, also stayed under with the Thunderbirds and Wings combining for just 23 goals on February 15, 2025.
That’s not to say that this game couldn’t go over, but this is one of those totals where playing the under has been profitable. Landon Kells and the Las Vegas defense have had strong performances at points this season and the Wings offense hasn’t been very efficient this season, despite looking better with Michael Sowers in the lineup. Trust the trend and bet this game to stay Under 26.5 at -115 on BetMGM.
Pick: Under 26.5
2025-26 NLL Season Best Bets: 17-14 for +3.265 units (ROI +10.25%)
All bets are to win 1 unit or more (i.e. 1.2 units at -120, 1 unit at +120) unless otherwise specified.
