National Lacrosse League Odds & Picks: Best Bets for Bandits vs. Knighthawks, Roughnecks vs. Panther City
CALGARY, AB – APRIL 8, 2023: The Calgary Roughnecks against the Panther City Lacrosse Club at Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday. (Photo by Jenn Pierce/NLL)
The 2023 National Lacrosse League quarterfinals continue with two more Saturday night matchups.
The Buffalo Bandits host their New York State rival Rochester Knighthawks, followed by the third meeting in four weeks between the Calgary Roughnecks and Panther City Lacrosse Club.
To attack the Saturday slate, I'm betting a total, two player props and a future.
If you’re an avid bettor who’s new to lacrosse or a lacrosse fan who’s new to betting, check outmy guide on how to bet on lacrosse for some tips to use when placing a lacrosse bet.
Buffalo Bandits (-1.5) vs. Rochester Knighthawks
| Buffalo Odds | -220 |
| Rochester Odds | +170 |
| Total | 21.5 |
| Time | Saturday, 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPNU |
Odds via bet365
We start off in Buffalo with an Upstate New York showdown between crosstown rivals.
The 1.5-point Buffalo Bandits face the Rochester Knighthawks with a trip to the East Conference Finals on the line. The Action Network’s very own Brendan Glasheen is on the call for a matchup that saw plenty of goals in the first two meetings.
The total is as high as 23.5 at some sportsbooks, but bet365 is currently offering 21.5 at -130.
Both teams should have their full roster of offensive personnel in this one, and I expect both teams to play fast — like the previous two meetings. Rochester secured a 15-12 win in the first meeting, while Buffalo took game two, 13-10.
Furthermore, 12 of Rochester’s 18 games have gone over 21.5.
While only half of Buffalo’s games have surpassed 21.5, the Bandits have failed to score 10 or more goals just three times this season and are averaging 11.9 goals per game. I’m confident this offense will be able to push this total over, even if the Buffalo defense plays well.
Bet this game to go over 21.5 (-130 on bet365).
Pick: Over 21.5
Calgary Roughnecks (-1.5) vs. Panther City Lacrosse Club
| Calgary Odds | -176 |
| Panther City Odds | +142 |
| Total | 21.5 |
| Time | Saturday, 9:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPNU |
Odds via FanDuel
In the second game of the evening, the Calgary Roughnecks host the Panther City Lacrosse Club.
Panther City’s transformation from a 2021-22 expansion team to a second-year playoff contender has been an impressive one, but it'll have a tough first-round matchup against arguably the hottest goaltender in the NLL, MVP candidate Christian Del Bianco.
While Del Bianco has been the most impactful player on the Roughnecks, I’ll be looking to bet two of Calgary’s offensive stars in this meeting.
Forward Jesse King has stepped up as the team’s leading scorer, registering 100 points for the first time in his career and leading an offense that lost Curtis Dickson in free agency this offseason.
I expect him to have a big night, and I like him to go over his points prop of 5.5 (+108 on FanDuel).
King has recorded six points or more in 10 of 18 games this season, meaning his true odds to go over are closer to -125. Yet, even in games he’s missed this mark, he’s still been within striking distance, recording at least four points in all but one game.
Furthermore, he’s tallied six points in each of the past two matchups vs. Panther City — both of which came in the last three weeks.
I expect King to have another big game, and I recommend betting over 5.5 points.
Another Calgary player I expect to make an impact is Tyler Pace. Pace has put up equally impressive point totals, but I’m actually looking to play his goals prop of 1.5.
Pace has put up two or more goals in 10 of 14 games and averages the most shots on goal, with 7.9 per game.
He also had a pair of goals on 10 shots in the lone game he faced Panther City this year, and I think he’ll have similar success on Saturday night.
This line has already moved a bit from -106 to -118, but with true odds of -180 in a favorable matchup, I still love laying the juice on Pace to go over 1.5 goals.
My final bet is actually a future on the Calgary Roughnecks to win the Western Conference. I expect Calgary to win this game, but I don’t want to eat the juice on the moneyline or lay the 1.5, though I’d certainly lean Calgary -1.5.
Instead, I’m looking to bet the Roughnecks to win the Western Conference Finals at +160.
If Calgary defeats Panther City, as expected, they’ll be favored against Colorado in the three-game series. Calgary defeated the Mammoth in their past two meetings, 16-10 and 13-9, with their only loss to Colorado coming in a 9-8 thriller in Week 5.
I think the series will be competitive, but I like Calgary to ultimately advance to the NLL Finals.
Betting them at this plus-money price allows you to not only bet the better team at a favorable number, but it also sets yourself up for hedge opportunities if you choose to back Colorado as an underdog against the spread on a per game basis.
It already moved from +170, so jump on this quickly.
Pick: Jesse King Over 5.5 Points | Tyler Pace Over 1.5 Goals | Calgary to win Western Conference
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