Sliding Blackhawks aim to get back on track in Denver
Hockey Betting Lines
02/07/2012 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Blackhawks are trying to remain positive, but that has been tough to do over their longest losing streak of the season. The Colorado Avalanche are going through the same struggles, but at least the 'Hawks are still in the playoff picture.
The two clubs both look to snap five-game slides this evening in their final scheduled regular-season meeting.
Chicago has been outscored 22-10 over its losing streak, marking the first time it has lost five in a row since March 13-20, 2009. Another setback tonight would give the Blackhawks their longest skid since an 0-6-1 drought from Dec. 30-Jan. 11 during the 2007-08 season.
The 'Hawks recent struggles have dropped them into fourth place in the Central Division, two points back of third place and seven behind the first-place Red Wings. Chicago sits sixth overall in the West and captain Jonathan Toews is hoping his club can emerge from this funk with some lessons learned.
"We don't want to put more pressure on ourselves than we already have. We're staying positive, but weren't not making any excuses for ourselves, looking for ways to bail ourselves out of this situation," Toews said following Monday's practice.
"We know we have to be better and we will be. We've just got to look at it in a way that going through this tough stretch here is going to make us better in the end."
Chicago is just 5-7-3 since Jan. 2 and had lost the first three outings of a nine-game road trip. Friday's 3-1 loss in Calgary marked the fourth time over its skid that is failed to score more than two goals. The only exception was an 8-4 setback in Edmonton on Thursday.
Brent Seabrook scored the only goal on Friday and Ray Emery made 29 saves.
"I think stretches like this get your attention and as a team you learn from this," Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville said after the loss. "We haven't really had a challenge like this all year and it's up to us to recapture how we felt earlier in the year and know what it takes to win."
Chicago will look to snap a seven-game road slide this evening with its first win as the guest since Dec. 14 at Minnesota. The Blackhawks picked up a 3-1 win in their first trip to Colorado back on Oct. 20, but have dropped a pair of home games to the Avalanche since. That includes a 4-0 defeat in the most recent meeting on Jan. 6, with Semyon Varlamov notching a 27-save shutout for the visitors.
Colorado has won five of its past seven versus Chicago, but hasn't scored more than two goals in any game of its current slide and sits in a tie for 11th in the conference, three points back of a playoff spot.
The Avs looked as if they would halt their losing streak on Saturday versus the visiting Canucks, holding a one-goal lead in the game's final moments and T.J. Galiardi taking aim at an empty net.
However, Vancouver defenseman Kevin Bieksa blocked Galiardi's potential icer and then scored an overtime-forcing goal with 34.1 seconds left in the frame. Colorado went on to drop a 3-2 decision in the shootout.
Jean-Sebastien Giguere made 27 saves for Colorado, which had won 10 straight shootouts dating back to last season, including its first seven of this season. The Avalanche fell one shy of matching Dallas' record for consecutive shootout wins set during the 2005-06 campaign.
Despite the disappointing loss, which featured goals from David Jones and Jay McClement, rookie Gabriel Landeskog saw some positives in the setback.
"I think we played a pretty solid game to be honest," said Landeskog, who set a club rookie-record with nine shots on goal. "I think we took it to these guys for the majority of the game. Jiggy [Giguere] really kept us in there. They got one late in the third, but I thought we had a lot of the momentum in overtime too, and in the shootout, it was just unfortunate that we didn't put the puck in the net."
Colorado, which has lost the first two of a four-game homestand, hopes to have Peter Mueller back after the forward missed Saturday's game with flu-like symptoms.
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The last time that Kari Lehtonen faced the Coyotes, the Stars netminder suffered an injury that temporarily derailed his solid season. The Finn has finally begun to find his form once again and carries a personal three-gam
<< Leafs try to stay hot in Winnipeg
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It certainly seems as though the Toronto Maple Leafs made a
collective New Year's resolution of ending the franchise's longest playoff
drought ever.
The Leafs look to continue their climb up the Eastern Conference standing
<< Rinne, Preds host showdown with Canucks
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - There may not be a more confident goaltender in the league
right now than Nashville's Pekka Rinne. Vancouver should have plenty of
positive feelings heading into Tuesday night after the way it won its last
game.
The Preda
<< Pacers try to rebound vs. Jazz
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Indiana Pacers had their season-high four-game winning
streak cut short the last time out and tonight they'll try and start a new run
with the Utah Jazz in town.
Indiana dropped an 85-81 decision versus the Orla
<< Surging Bolts host low-scoring Kings
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Kings have struggled to score goals over the first two
games of their season-long road trip, failing to earn a point despite
excellent goaltending.
In fact, Lightning forward Martin St. Louis had more goals in his last
Pattaya City, Thailand (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two-time champion Vera Zvonareva and reigning titlist Daniela Hantuchova posted first-round wins, while second- seeded Dominika Cibulkova came up a loser Tuesday at the $220,000 Pattaya Open tennis tou
Flyers seek rebound effort against Islanders >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Flyers will try to rebound after a dismal
weekend when they host the New York Islanders for tonight's Atlantic Division
battle at the Wells Fargo Center.
The Flyers played divisional opponents on back-to-b
UC Davis switches date of 2012 opener >>
Davis, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The UC Davis football team's 2012 season opener
against Azusa Pacific has been changed to Thursday, Aug. 30 at Aggie Stadium.
The game was originally scheduled to be played on Saturday, Sept. 1.
The Aggies are
Defensive backs lead FCS contingent going to NFL Combine >>
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Defensive backs from Football Championship
Subdivision schools will be on display at the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine.
Half of the 22 FCS players who have been invited to the Feb. 22-28 showcase
at Lucas Oil
Spurs waive Malcolm Thomas >>
San Antonio, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Antonio Spurs have waived forward
Malcolm Thomas.
A rookie from San Diego State, Thomas has appeared in just three games this
season. He has totaled one point, one assist and three rebounds.
El Duque expected to throw Tuesday
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.
Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.
El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.
MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds.
Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.
New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.
Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''
Additional baseball lines and World Series odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
Brandon Roy Favorite to Win 2007 NBA Rookie of the Year
Portland TrailBlazer’s guard, Brandon Roy, is MySportsbook.com’s overwhelming favorite to win the NBA Rookie of the Year odds.
Despite missing 20 games due to an injury earlier this season, Roy has definitely put up the best numbers of his 1st year peers. In 32 games, Roy is averaging 15.3 PPG, 4.2 boards and 3.5 assists in over 33 minutes of play per game. While most rookies breakdown as the season progresses (see Morrison), Roy is only getting stronger as his playing time and scoring average has increased each month.
With 30 or so games left in the regular season, Roy isn’t a lock for the award by any means. Other rookies are putting together some pretty impressive campaigns and a few could give Roy a run for the award with increased playing time. Heading the list is first pick, Andrea Bargnani of the Toronto Raptors. Even though he has started only two games all season, Bargnani is averaging 10.3 PPPG while shooting 35% from deep.
Randy Foye of the Minnesota Timberwolves could be set to give Roy the best competition NBA Rookie of the Year betting lines. With the benching of Mike James, Foye looks like he could be the starter in the T-Wolves backcourt for the rest of the season. So far, Foye has averaged 9 PPG and 2.4 assists in just under 21 minutes per game. With his new role of starter, Foye’s numbers will definitely increase. In his first game as the new starting guard this past Sunday, Foye had 10 points; five rebounds and 8 assists. More importantly, he logged 34 minutes of playing time; his third highest run of the season.
Adam Morrison, of the Charlotte Bobcats, was the favorite early on in the season after averaging 15+ PPG through the first month of the season. Ever since his torrid start, Morrison’s point production has declined each month. This really isn’t surprising, considering at 6’8” he only weighs 205 lbs. Obviously he will need to hit the weights big time during the off-season in order to keep from breaking down in the future.
Be sure to log on to MySportsbook.com to bet on the NBA. With the regular season about to hit the homestretch, it is important to point out that MySportsbook.com has the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.