The PLL kicks it off its season with opening weekend as the league heads to Albany for the first four games of the year. Let’s start the season off hot!

Redwoods vs. Atlas (6/3 1:00)

Last year the Atlas were pretty good during the regular season as their young offensive core led the way to their 6-4 regular season, making the playoffs but losing 19-14 in the first round of the playoffs to the eventual champion Waterdogs. They averaged 12.8 scores per game on an average of 39.5 shots per game. Defensively they allowed an average of 11.9 shots. Former MVP Trevor Baptiste led the league at the face-off stripe, as his Atlas won 63% of their draws. The veteran-led Redwoods had a 4-6 record last year and lost 13-8 in the first round of the playoffs to the Archers. They scored an average of 11.4 scores per game and an average of 37.5 shots per game. Defensively they allowed an average of 12.4 scores per game. These teams split their two games last year, with the Atlas dominating in a 17-11 win in Week 1 and then the Redwoods answering back with a 16-15 win in Week 7. I expect the Atlas to open their season with a win here but the -230 price on the moneyline is way too expensive to me to bet on in Week 1 but I’ll take the goal line for half a unit, even though I wish it was -1.5 rather than -2.5. I’d slightly lean the over, but not enough to bet it.

Cannons vs. Archers (6/3 3:30)

This isn’t the best matchup to start off the season. Last year the Cannons were the only team to miss the playoffs, going 1-9 in the regular season and they got worse this year as their leading scorer and the best lacrosse player in the world, Lyle Thompson is taking the season off from the PLL, choosing to spend time with him family and play Sr. A box lacrosse up in Six Nations instead. Last year with Lyle, they averaged 11.1 scores per game on an average of 39.4 shots per game. They allowed an average of 14 scores per game, the worst in the league. The Archers had a decent season last year, but were disappointing as they went into the season as the favorites to win the championship but came up short. They finished the regular season going 6-4 then after beating the Redwoods 13-8 in the first round of the playoffs, lost 9-7 in a grind to the Chaos in the second round. The Archers averaged 13 scores per game on an average of 38.6 shots per game and allowed an average of 11 scores per game. These teams played twice last year with the Archers dominating both of those games, winning 20-9 in Week 3 and then 17-12 in Week 7. I expect an easy win for the Archers to open the year and will take them on the goal line for a unit, with the moneyline too expensive at -278. I’d slightly lean the under but not enough to bet it.

Chaos vs. Waterdogs (6/4 1:00)

A rematch of last year’s championship game, where the Waterdogs picked up their first championship win, beating the defending champion Chaos with an 11-9 victory. Both of these teams are missing significant factors of their teams with almost the entire Chaos offense out since they’re still celebrating winning the NLL Championship in Buffalo last night and one of the best goalies in the world in Dillon Ward out from Waterdogs after losing indoor on the Mammoth last night. Last year the Chaos did the same thing as the year prior, having a horrible 2-8 regular season but sneaking into the playoffs as the last seed and then making noise. They defeated the Chrome 11-3 in the first round, beat the Archers 9-7 in the second round, but eventually fell to the Waterdogs 11-9 in the PLL Championship. Last season the Chaos averaged just 10.1 scores per game on an average of 31.6 shots per game, while allowing an average of 12.6 scores per game with the best goalie in the world in Blaze Riorden between the pipes. The Waterdogs had a great season, winning the Championship after a 5-5 regular season. They opened the playoffs with a 19-14 win over the Atlas, grinded out an 11-10 win to beat the #1 seed Whipsnakes and then won 11-9 against the defending champion Chaos to win the title. Their offense was spectacular, averaging 13 scores per game on an average of 44 shots per game while they allowed an average of 13.3 scores per game. Even without Dillon Ward, I expect the champs to win pretty easily today. The moneyline is too expensive but I’ll take the Waterdogs -2.5 on the goal line for half a unit.

Whipsnakes vs. Chrome (6/4 3:30)

This should be a great game to close out opening weekend. The Whipsnakes led the PLL last year with incredible defensive play, finishing first overall with a 9-1 regular season record but after a first round bye lost 11-10 to the Waterdogs in their second round playoff game. They averaged 11.8 scores per game on an average of 41.9 shots while allowing a league fewest average of 9.8 scores per game. The Chrome went from being the sole team to miss the playoffs two years ago to being pretty good last year with an entirely new look offense. After going 7-3 in the regular season, they got dominated 11-3 by the Chaos in the first round. Last year the Chrome averaged 12 scores per game on average of 37.1 shots per game while allowing an average of 10.2 scores per game. I’d expect even without star Zed Williams, I expect the Whips to open the season with a win. I’ll take them for half a unit.

Bets

.5u Atlas -2.5 (+105)

1u Archers -2.5 (-118)

.5u Waterdogs -2.5 (+100)

.5u Whipsnakes ML (-139)

Record: 0-0

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