Sports Quick Hits: October 18th, 2021

⚽️NWSL: With less than two weeks remaining in the regular season, the six-team NWSL playoff picture is coming into focus. The Washington Spirit clinched a postseason berth over the weekend, joining the Portland Thorns (who secured the 2021 NWSL Shield yesterday) and OL Reign. Coming for you, November.

🏒NHL: The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Ottawa Senators 3–1 on Saturday to split the opening of the Battle of Ontario, and there’s even more good news for Leafs fans. Center Auston Matthews will make his season debut tonight at 7 p.m. ET, after recovering from offseason wrist surgery. Watch out, world.