It’s going to be a fun night for sports fans. In the NHL, an Original Six rivalry reignites as the Detroit Red Wings take on the Toronto Maple Leafs. Later on in the night, a pivotal MLS showdown in the Western Conference will go a long way to determining which teams make the postseason as the Portland Timbers continue welcome Real Salt Lake to Providence Park.
Read on for the best action in sports today. While you’re at it, take a look at our breakdown of the best action in Week 8 of the college football season. You can also keep yourself busy with our complete picks and predictions for Week 7 of the 2014 NFL season. Because whatever sports you’re into watching this October, we’ve got you covered at Top Bet.
[sc:MultiSportArticles ]
Detroit Red Wings vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (7:35 PM ET)
Line: Detroit Red Wings (+105) at Toronto Maple Leafs (-125); total 5.5 – view these lines
[sc:NHL240 ]Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard had 37 saves and Gustav Nyquist scored a goal in the third period but it wasn’t enough as Detroit took a 3-2 shootout loss against Boston on Wednesday. Howard was 2-0-1 with a 1.95 ERA versus Toronto last season, while Nyquist has three goals in his last two games against the Maple Leafs.
Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs will start either Jonathan Bernier or James Reimer between the pipes as the team is back to its seemingly-annual goalie controversy. Neither backstop has had much luck against the Wings. Bernier is 2-3-0 with a 3.60 GAA in his last five starts against the Red Wings, while Reimer is 0-2-0 with a 3.94 GAA in two career-starts against Detroit.
Writer’s Prediction
The Red Wings (+105) silence the home crowd with a win.
Real Salt Lake vs. Portland Timbers (10:00 PM ET)
Line: Real Salt Lake +242 at Portland Timbers -111, tie +300; total 3.0 – view these lines
Real Salt Lake will miss several of their key players heading into this pivotal Western Conference matchup. Goalkeeper Nick Rimando and defensive midfielder will be out to fulfil their international duties, and three defenders–Chris Schuler (broken sinus), Rich Balchan (adductor) and Tony Beltran (back)–will also be out.
Without Real’s vital cogs in the defense, the Timbers will have plenty of opportunities to find the back of the net, especially with attacking midfielder Diego Valeri posting MVP-like numbers this season (10 goals and 10 assists).
