The Toronto Maple Leafs’ already potent offense should get another weapon in their lineup, William Nylander, when they host the Detroit Red Wings tonight at Scotiabank Arena. Nylander has not laced up this year because of a contract issue but over his last two seasons he has notched 42 goals to go along with 80 assists. Detroit has gone 2-1-1 in their last 4 games and to their credit, they have played well against some formidable opponents. On Saturday, the Red Wings knocked off the Bruins in Boston, 4-2, and almost got the victory against Tampa on Tuesday, only to lose in a shootout, 6-5. But injuries are starting to pile up for Detroit. They will be without Danny DeKeyser and Anthony Mantha tonight, who are both out with hand injuries. Detroit has not fared well against Toronto, going 1-8 in the last 9 meetings, and they are 0-4 in their last 4 at Scotiabank Arena. The Leafs are hot, winning five in a row, and so is Auston Matthews, who has 5 goals and 2 assists in his last 3 games.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Author: Roger
Wednesday NHL Pick
The Anaheim Ducks are riding high as they return home to Honda Center tonight to face the Chicago Blackhawks. Anaheim won their last four games on the road, which concluded on Sunday with an incredible come from behind victory against the reigning champion Washington Capitals. Chicago limps into Honda Center tonight, losers of their last four, and are just 4-9-2 on the road. The Blackhawks’ firing of Joel Quenneville has not helped matters much. Under their new skipper, Jeremy Colliton, they are 3-8-2. Chicago has struggled in Anaheim, going 12-25-2 in their last 39, and the home team has won 4 of the last 5 meetings. The Blackhawks won the first meeting this year in Chicago so it’s payback time for the Ducks. The Ducks are hot, ride them ’til they’re not.
TONIGHT’S PICK: ANAHEIM DUCKS
Tuesday NHL Pick
The Buffalo Sabres ripped off ten straight wins but now find themselves in a 3-game losing streak. Tonight they will return home from a 3-game road trip to host their hated rival, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Buffalo will be playing back-to-back games, after falling to Nashville last night, but fatigue is never an issue when they face the Leafs. Toronto is hot, winning four in a row, and are a force on the road with a record of 10-3-0. Buffalo counters with a stellar home record of 9-2-1 and they are 6-0 in their last 6 at KeyBank Center. The Home team is 26-8 in the last 34 meetings between these two clubs and the Sabres are a big home dog in this one.
TONIGHT’S PICK: BUFFALO SABRES
Monday NHL Pick
The Dallas Stars lost to the Edmonton Oilers last week north of the border in overtime, 1-0, so revenge will be on their minds tonight when they get a chance to even the score at American Airlines Center. The Oilers are on a 3-game winning streak but their road record is not impressive, at 6-7-1, and they are just 1-6 in their last 7 away from Rogers Place. Dallas is also on a roll, winning their last two. The Stars have an impressive home record of 8-3-1 and are 6-1 in their last 7 against Edmonton at American Airlines Center.
TONIGHT’S PICK: DALLAS STARS
Sunday NFL Pick
The Sunday night game will be at Heinz Field with the Pittsburgh Steelers hosting the Los Angeles Chargers. Philip Rivers was spectacular last week, but let’s not forget who the Chargers opponent was, the Arizona Cardinals. The Chargers are 8-3 on the season, but only one of those wins was against a team that currently has a winning record, the Seattle Seahawks, who are barely over 500, at 6-5. Los Angeles is averaging 27.4 points per game on the road but tonight they will be without their standout running back, Melvin Gordon, who has rushed for 802 yards with 9 TDs and that will hurt. The Steelers are 7-3-1 and can light it up at home, averaging 35.4 points per game. Le’Veon Bell’s replacement, James Conner, has been getting it done with 849 rushing yards and 10 TDs. The Steelers have won 6 of their last 7 and are always a force at home. If the Curtain, who have been prone to turnovers this year, hold on to the ball, they should get the win. Consider the Steelers on the money line.
TONIGHT’S PICK: PITTSBURGH STEELERS M/L
Saturday NHL Pick
When the Boston Bruins take the ice at TD Garden, good things usually happen – they win. Tonight that is where they will be when they host another Original Six team, the Detroit Red Wings. The Bruins are 9-2-0 at home on the season and have a record of 37-15 in their last 52 at TD Garden. Now that’s impressive. To say Detroit has had issues with Boston would be an understatement. The Red Wings are 2-8 in their last 10 meetings with the Bruins and 0-11 in their last 11 trips to Boston. To stack the cards against the Red Wings even more, Tuukka Rask is expected between the pipes for Boston and he is 13-5-3 lifetime in the regular season against Detroit.
TONIGHT’S PICK: BOSTON BRUINS
Friday NCAA Football Pick
The MAC championship will be on the line tonight when the Buffalo Bulls face the Northern Illinois Huskies at Ford Field in Detroit. Buffalo comes into tonight’s game at 10-2 and can light up the scoreboard. The Bulls average 35.2 points per game and allow an average of 24.2. Buffalo’s potent offense is led by their 6’7″ quarterback Tyree Jackson and he is a play maker, tossing 25 TDs and running for another 7. The Huskies come into tonight’s game at 7-5, averaging just 19.9 points per game and allowing 20.9. This won’t be a walk in the park for Buffalo. Northern Illinois is stingy on defense and have won the last 10 meetings against the Bulls, but trends always end. The line sits at -3.5 Buffalo so consider the Bulls on the money line.
TONIGHT’S PICK: BUFFALO BULLS M/L