The National Lacrosse League quarterfinals are here! The 2026 NLL playoffs kick off with singlle-elimination games on Friday and Saturday. I preview all four matchups and give my best bets for three of them.
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.
Halifax Thunderbirds at Vancouver Warriors
 Halifax Moneyline/Spread | +152 / +1.5 |
 Vancouver Moneyline/Spread | -188 / -1.5 |
| Total | 20.5 |
| Time | Friday · 10 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via FanDuel
We saw this matchup just a few weeks ago and Halifax gave Vancouver all they could take. It took the Warriors offense a while to get going and Thunderbirds goaltender Warren Hill was once again excellent despite the losing effort. Yet, Halifax continues to rely on heroics from Hill. I don’t see this rematch being as close as the first meeting.
Halifax’s offense has seen improvement despite not having Randy Staats for months now (Stephen Keogh has been a nice re-addition), but I expect them to eventually lose steam like this did in their last game. The Thunderbirds were successful on the power play and caught Vancouver napping a few times the last game, but I expect Curt Malawsky to have the Warriors more buttoned up on Friday night.
Vancouver was also not nearly aggressive enough in transition, which has been an Achilles heel for Halifax. Expect Christian Del Bianco to push the ball up the floor more and the Warriors to generate quality shots on the fast break. Despite being just 8-6 against the spread as a favorite, I trust Vancouver to outlast Halifax and win by multiple goals in the opening round of the playoffs. Bet Vancouver Warriors -1.5 at -124 on FanDuel or -125 on Caesars or TheScore Bet.
Pick: Vancouver Warriors -1.5
Buffalo Bandits at Georgia Swarm
 Buffalo Moneyline/Spread | -110 / +1.5 |
 Georgia Moneyline/Spread | -110 / -1.5 |
| Total | 19.5 |
| Time | Saturday · 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via BetMGM
The Bandits travel to Georgia to face the Swarm in what I think is a tough draw for both teams. I think Buffalo has a case for being considered the best team in the league and is a the very least Top 3, but they’re facing likely MVP Brett Dobson and. georgia defense that has gotten much better since they last faced Buffalo in Week 1.
I’d give the slight edge to Buffalo in this one because they have enough weapons to give this Swarm defense some trouble, but I think the oddsmakers nailed both the moneyline odds and total for this game. I expect a gritty, low-scoring game and am going to pass on making any bets for this one.
San Diego Seals at Colorado Mammoth
 San Diego Moneyline/Spread | +140 / +1.5 |
 Colorado Moneyline/Spread | -170 / -1.5 |
| Total | 21.5 |
| Time | Saturday · 9 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPNU |
Odds via Caesars
This is the game where I make my bold pick. Colorado has had an incredible season, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see it end at the hand of San Diego on Saturday. The Seals have been battle-tested, with plenty of close losses, including a 14-12 loss to the Mammoth on February 27 in a game where they led entering the fourth quarter.
Zach Currier has been playing at an MVP-level (and would have a great case to win if Brett Dobson wasn’t setting records this season) and the offense is starting to come alive at the right time. They can go toe-to-toe with the prolific offense that Colorado has been rolling out.
As far as the injury report goes, Danny Logan being doubtful is notable and the Seals have Dylan Watson, Cam Acchione, Pat Kavanagh and Trevor Baptiste all listed as questionable. Yet, Colorado has faceoff specialist Matt Paolatto and their own MVP candidate Andrew Kew also listed as questionable. Kew has missed two straight games, but I’d expect him and the rest of the players listed as questionable to suit up for a playoff game. Ultimately, the injury report for both teams is a wash.
It’s also worth noting that Colorado goaltender Dillon Ward only played 23 minutes before exiting the game in the first meeting, but backup Nathan Whittom played excellent in relief. I doubt Ward gets pulled this time around and while “Playoff Ward” could show up on Saturday, I think the Seals can get the better of him this weekend.
Ultimately, these odds are too long for San Diego. I’d make the Seals no greater than +105 on the moneyline and you can get them as long as +140. Trust them to keep it close and potentially pull off the upset. Bet San Diego Seals +1.5 at -105 on Caesars and a half unit on San Diego Seals +1.5 at +140 on Caesars or BetRivers.
I also think the San Diego Seals to win the 2026 NLL Championship at +1200 is worth a look. However, I placed a small bet on them at 100-1 two weeks ago and suggested betting them at +2500 just last week, so at this point I think the better angle is to bet them on the moneyline this weekend and see what odds they draw in the semifinals if they advance.
Pick: San Diego Seals +1.5, San Diego Seals ML (0.5 unit)
Toronto Rock at Saskatchewan Rush
 Toronto Moneyline/Spread | +120 / +1.5 |
 Saskatchewan Moneyline/Spread | -157 / -1.5 |
| Total | 21.5 |
| Time | Saturday · 9 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via BetRivers
We’re getting a rematch from Week 21 and if the last meeting between these teams was any indication of what the quarterfinals will be like, then it promises to be an electric one. The Rush defeated the Rock in overtime, but Toronto had a two-goal lead with 80 seconds left and I thought they generated more quality looks in the game.
Two of Frank Scigliano’s worst games (based on save percentage) have come against Toronto and the Rock have shown the ability to attack the net in a variety of ways. I’d make this game a pick ’em and with a price ranging from +110 to +120, like Toronto’s odds to pull off the “upset.”
Bet Toronto Rock moneyline at +120 on BetRivers or +116 on FanDuel.
I also like this game to go Over 20.5 at -110 on Caesars, but since it’s 21.5 everywhere else and I don’t like it nearly as much as 20.5, it’s not a best bet for me.
As for a championship pick, I also like the Toronto Rock to win the 2026 NLL Championship at +800 on BetRivers or FanDuel. I love how the bracket shaked out for Toronto, with them not having to face Buffalo, Georgia or Vancouver until the NLL Finals if they make it that far. One of the only two playoff teams they didn’t defeat this year in Buffalo and Georgia will be out after this weekend and the winner I expect will get a tough, likely three-game series with the Warriors.
They’re facing a Rush team that they split with during the season and I think they’d take a series with San Diego (if they advance like I expect) or even a banged-up Colorado. None of their games will be easy, but they’ve shown they can hang with anyone and I don’t think their odds reflect their potential path to the NLL Finals. So, that’s my favorite future to bet right now.
Pick: Toronto Rock ML, Toronto Rock to win the 2026 NLL Championship
2025-26 NLL Season Best Bets: 66-56 for +13.075 units (ROI +10.6%)
All bets are to win 1 unit or more (i.e. 1.2 units at -120, 1 unit at +120) unless otherwise specified.
