The National Lacrosse League playoff race is as tight as ever with a handful of teams vying for the remaining spots in the postseason. We have five pivotal games Saturday and I have a bet for three of them. Let’s take a look at which player prop, side and total I’m betting on Saturday night.
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Rochester Knighthawks (-2.5) vs. Albany FireWolves
| Albany Odds | +198 |
| Rochester Odds | -250 |
| Total | 22.5 |
| Time | Saturday, 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via FanDuel.
The 2.5-point favorite Rochester Knighthawks host the Albany FireWolves with a playoff spot on the line for Rochester. A lot has changed since these teams last met on December 17. The FireWolves are now 2-12 and mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, while Rochester is 9-6 and has all but locked up a trip to the postseason.
However, Rochester has struggled recently and is on a three-game losing streak. Furthermore, they’ve failed to cover the spread in their past four games and are 0-5 against the spread as favorites. Their matchup with a floundering FireWolves team is a great get-right spot for the Knighthawks, but I’m not ready to lay -2.5 with them yet.
Instead, I’m eyeing a player prop in this matchup and am targeting Connor Fields’s goal total of 3.5. Betting a player to score four goals may seem like a tough ask, but few players have meant more to their team than Fields and this matchup presents another great opportunity for him.
Fields has scored four or more goals in half of his games this season and Albany has allowed 10 opposing players to score four or more goals this season — including Fields in their first meeting.
Pick: Connor Fields Over 3.5 Goals
Georgia Swarm (-1.5) vs. Saskatchewan Rush
| Georgia Odds | -115 |
| Saskatchewan Odds | -105 |
| Total | 23.5 |
| Time | Saturday, 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via FanDuel.
The Saskatchewan Rush head to Georgia to take on the hottest team in the NLL for what is essentially a must-win game for both teams. After an 0-7 start to the season, the Georgia Swarm have rattled off six wins in their past seven games and now control their own destiny when it comes to securing a playoff spot. On the flipside, the Rush just snapped a five-game losing streak with an overtime win over the Warriors to keep their own postseason hopes alive. The result is the sportsbooks differ in pricing these teams on the moneyline — the Rush are even money on Barstool and Swarm are +110 on Caesars.
I could see either team securing a victory on Saturday night, so I’m going to avoid taking a side and target the total instead. The total is as high as 23.5 on FanDuel and I like a bet on the under.
Georgia’s success is not entirely surprising if you consider their talent on offense and the presence of rookie Brett Dobson in net. Since Dobson took over as the starter, the Swarm are 6-5, More importantly, Dobson has allowed just 10.75 goals per game — good for sixth among starters. As for the Rush, while Alex Buque has been streaky during the second half of the season, he’s still only allowing 11 goals per game and played like he did at the start of the season in their most recent game against Vancouver.
However, a bet on the under is also a fade of a Rush offense that has averaged just 9.5 goals per game in their past six games and whose totals have stayed under 23.5 in four straight games. While Georgia's offense has been impressive, their six wins have come against teams below .500 and I think they’ll have a fairly tougher time against this Rush defense.
This game will have a playoff atmosphere and I think that will play to the under. Bet the total to stay under 23.5 (-110 on FanDuel.)
Pick: Under 23.5
Calgary Roughnecks (-1.5) vs. Panther City Lacrosse Club
| Panther City Odds | +128 |
| Calgary Odds | -158 |
| Total | 22.5 |
| Time | Saturday, 9 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via FanDuel.
The Calgary Roughnecks host the Panther City Lacrosse Club with playoff implications on the line. The Roughnecks can secure a home playoff game with a victory, while Panther City will continue to control their own playoff destiny with a win. This is the first meeting between these teams and Calgary enters as a 1.5-point favorite.
The Roughnecks have been covering machines, going 11-3 against the spread so far this season and covering as a favorite in six of seven games. They’re well-rounded and have one of the best goalies between the pipes in Christian Del Bianco. Panther City has been much less consistent and is 1-4 against the spread as an underdog. They are also just 1-5 against teams above .500.
Furthermore, Panther City could also be without starting forward Callum Crawford, who was listed on the injury report as questionable, and the addition of forward Tyler Pace back in the lineup should also help Calgary win and cover the 1.5-point spread. Ultimately, I think the Roughnecks should be able to get a win at home and cover on Saturday night.
Pick: Calgary Roughnecks -1.5
