Sochi Olympics: Best bets for Saturday

Best bets for Saturday at the 2014 Sochi Olympics:

MEN’S HOCKEY

The Cold War is long over and the Miracle on Ice is a distant memory, but there is still considerable excitement for the U.S. and Russia playing hockey. The gold-medal game is expected to come from either of these teams and Canada. The U.S. is sticking with Jonathan Quick in goal.

MEN’S SPEEDSKATING

The U.S. team is shockingly without a medal in these Games and currently embroiled in a controversy over whether the new suits are the reason for their poor performance. This will probably be Shani Davis’ last individual Olympic race and he wants to atone for his slow performance in the 1,000.

WOMEN’S SUPER-G

Julia Mancuso and Stacey Cook have an outside shot to medal in a race that would have been a showcase for Lindsey Vonn. Lara Gut of Switzerland has won three of the five World Cup races this season and should be challenged by veteran Maria Hoefl-Riesch.

Early best bets (while you were sleeping)

MEN’S SUPER-G

Bode Miller would like to repeat his performance in Vancouver, where he won the silver. Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway is the defending Olympic champion and probably will be near the podium again. Ted Ligety skied too conservatively in the combined, so you can expect for him to be more aggressive in this race.