Atlas vs. Chaos PLL Picks: Low Scoring Game Expected

In the final game of the regular season, the Atlas and Chaos will meet for the first time all year. We have the highlighted odds and best plays for the regular season finale with our Atlas-Chaos picks. 

In a must-win for the Chaos — especially depending on how the Cannons vs. Whipsnakes game goes in the 3 p.m. ET game on Sunday — Andy Towers’ squad will meet up with an Atlas team looking to bounce back and get back on track before playoffs begin. 

The Chaos have not won a game since Week 8  in Dallas. Even after getting their Canadian offensive core back from the NLL finals, their offense has yet to find the groove we know they’re capable of, as they rank last in the league in scoring. Their biggest asset this year is, of course Goaltender of the Year Blaze Riorden, who’s listed as “questionable” for the game, after sustaining an injury last weekend in Salt Lake City. His health status is vital if the Chaos are to pull off a win.

Though Sunday’s game doesn’t have as big of implications for the Bulls as it does for the Chaos, we’ve seen this Atlas club grounded in the last couple of weeks. Back-to-back losses for the first time this season to the Waterdogs and most recently a brutal loss to the Whipsnakes leave the once-first-place Atlas sitting at fourth in the standings. 

Here are my PLL picks and predictions for Saturday’s game between the Atlas and Chaos (odds via Caesars Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook).

Atlas vs. Chaos Game Info

Date/Time: Sunday August 21, 5:30 p.m. ET
Location: Tacoma Dome, Seattle, WA
Weather: 80 degrees, 10% chance of precipitation, 6-mph wind

Atlas vs. Chaos Odds Analysis

The Atlas are the Moneyline favorite in this matchup, ranging from -175 at DraftKings to -180 at Caesars. The Atlas are also favored on the -1.5 goal line from -120 at DraftKings to -125 at Caesars.

Both sportsbooks set the total for 24.5, with the Under at -120 at DraftKings and -115 at Caesars.

Atlas vs. Chaos Picks

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Atlas vs. Chaos ML Pick

Atlas (-175)

Despite their recent struggles, the Atlas remain a favorite to win it all. Their overtime loss to the Waterdogs in Denver was more so a result of little mistakes by themselves rather than being outplayed by the ‘Dogs. As far as their 16-8 loss to the Whipsnakes goes, Ben Rubeor’s club is definitely going to have to figure out a solution to these Whips if they plan to make a deep playoff run. 

Regardless, the Atlas are simply the better team. The reigning champions as mentioned are the lowest-scoring team in the league. Having Riorden in the net keeps them in every matchup, however, the Chaos also are more comfortable and successful shooting on the doorstep, where Atlas goaltender Jack Concannon is near perfect. It’s likely Concannon will see a lot of the shots he wants to help contain this Chaos offense that has yet to go off like we know they’re capable of. 

In addition to that, it’s likely the Bulls will have possession of the ball quite a bit. With the best faceoff guy in the league at the stripe in Trevor Baptiste, the likes of Jeff Teat, Chris Gray, Eric Law, Bryan Costabile, and even Baptiste himself will likely have a good amount of chances on offense, though getting one past Riorden if he’s to play is another challenge. 

If Riorden does not play Sunday, backup goalie Austin Kaut will get his first start since the MLL days back in 2019 with the New York Lizards. Kaut has not touched the field once this season and has only appeared in one PLL game in his career. 

Chaos will likely have Max Adler at the faceoff stripe who’s played in only three games this season. He was a key component in their championship run last year, but like many others, his numbers against Baptiste don’t fare so well. In 46 faceoffs against one another, Baptiste has won 30 of them for a 65.22%.

Atlas vs. Chaos ATS Pick

Atlas -1.5 (-120) 

Though I think the Atlas will take the victory here, if the Chaos pull off the upset it won’t be easy, and it won’t be a wide margin.

As mentioned the Chaos are the lowest-scoring team in the league and average a league-low 10 goals per game. The Atlas on the other hand rank amongst the top at 12.4 per game, and though they’ve struggled as of lately with a not 100% Riorden in the net, they’ll likely be able to capitalize.

Atlas vs. Chaos O/U Pick

Under 24.5 (-120)

Given Riorden’s health is up in the air, this one was a toss up. 

In most cases I’d take the over here with the top-scoring team in the Atlas looking to climb the standings through their score differential. But if Riorden is in the net, and given the implications of this game for the Chaos and knowing Riorden’s mentality that he’ll likely want to play through injury, it’s one of the only times I’m going with the Under.

Riorden leads the league in saves with 131 and averages 14.6 saves per game. He also is the top goaltender in save percentage for two-pointers, recording a 79.3%. The Atlas has a couple of different guys who can shoot two’s, however, the chances of them getting one by Riorden are extremely unlikely.

If Kaut gets the start, it’s a different story. Again, I don’t see Riorden taking the backseat in a must-win game for his squad as the heart of this team.

Where to Bet on Atlas vs. Chaos Picks

Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:

FanDuel Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook
DraftKings Sportsbook
PointsBet
BetMGM

SEE ALSO: All picks, odds, and sports betting news. Be sure to check out SportsbookReview.com’s community forums and betting tools.

Atlas-Chaos bets from 8/19/2022 at 1:50 p.m. ET.