Bruins take on Thrashers with shot at 8th straight win
Hockey Betting Lines
12/28/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The powerful Boston Bruins will try to match their longest winning streak in over 15 years when they visit the Atlanta Thrashers for this evening's battle at Philips Arena.
The Bruins have won seven in a row and another victory today would give the club its longest winning streak since rattling off eight straight victories from March 30-April 14, 1993.
Boston, which leads the Northeast Division and Eastern Conference with 56 points, has also won 12 of its last 13 games.
The Bruins earned their seventh consecutive win Saturday in Carolina as Michael Ryder scored the go-ahead goal with 6:14 left in the third period to lift Boston past the Hurricanes, 4-2.
Blake Wheeler notched a pair of goals, and Chuck Kobasew added an empty-net marker for Boston. David Krejci posted an assist to extend his point streak to seven games.
Tim Thomas stopped 29 shots to get the win for Boston, which hasn't lost since December 10 at Washington and is 21-2-1 in its last 24 games.
This is the fourth stop on a five-game road trip for the Bruins, who are 13-4-3 away from Beantown this year and have taken four straight and six of seven on the road. Boston closes out the swing Tuesday night in Pittsburgh.
Meanwhile, the Thrashers are 3-3-0 over their last six games and have alternated wins and losses during that stretch. Atlanta was recently handed a loss Friday evening against the visiting Hurricanes. Eric Staal's third-period hat trick helped Carolina overtake the Thrashers, 5-4, at Philips Arena.
Staal scored his first goal of the game at 7:27 of the third period to knot the score at 3-3. After Bryan Little gave Atlanta a 4-3 edge, Staal then scored two more goals in a span of just over one minute around the midway point of the period to put the 'Canes ahead for good.
Little registered his first career three-goal game for the Thrashers, who have dropped six of their last nine contests.
Todd White had a goal and an assist, while Slava Kozlov recorded four helpers. White tied his career-high point streak at eight games (five goals, six assists).
Johan Hedberg was beaten five times on 39 shots in defeat and is 1-3-1 in his last five contests.
The Thrashers are 6-10-2 as the host this year and have lost two straight and nine of their last 10 on home ice. Atlanta will close out the 2008 calendar year with a pair of road tests, as it visits Toronto on Tuesday before visiting Carolina on New Year's Eve.
Boston is 3-0 against the Thrashers this year and the teams are closing out the season series tonight. The Bruins have won five straight and six of the last seven meetings between the clubs and they have also taken two of three in Atlanta.
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Dallas Mavericks will close out a three-game road trip Sunday when they pay a visit to the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. Dallas fell to 1-1 on the trek and had a three-game winning streak come to an end af
<< Hornets visit Pacers at Conseco Fieldhouse
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New Orleans Hornets will hit the road this evening for
a showdown with the Indiana Pacers at Conseco Fieldhouse.
The Hornets will play five of their next six games on the road and own a 7-5
record away from New Or
<< Lakers continue homestand vs. Warriors
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The surging Los Angeles Lakers will resume a five-game
homestand tonight versus the Pacific Division-rival Golden State Warriors from
the Staples Center.
Los Angeles opened the residency in fashion by ending Bost
<< Celtics aim to snap funk in Sacramento
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Celtics are still searching for a win on their
current four-game road trip and will try to stop a season-high two-game losing
streak tonight against the Sacramento Kings at ARCO Arena.
After having its franc
<< Heat, Cavs clash at Quicken Loans Arena
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cleveland Cavaliers will try to stay unbeaten at home
Sunday when they close out a three-game residency versus the Miami Heat in the
opener of a home-and-home series at Quicken Loans Arena.
Cleveland, which will vi
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Anaheim Ducks will try to avoid a fourth consecutive loss when they visit the St. Louis Blues for tonight's encounter at Scottrade Center. The Ducks are 1-2-1 on a five-game road trip that ends tonight and they've los
Blackhawks shoot for club record in Minnesota >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Blackhawks will try to record the longest
winning streak in franchise history when they visit the Minnesota Wild tonight
at Xcel Energy Center.
The Blackhawks tied the club mark on Friday with their eighth stra
Caps welcome Maple Leafs to D.C. >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Washington Capitals will aim for their sixth straight
win at home and third in a row overall, as they welcome the Toronto Maple
Leafs for this evening's matchup at Verizon Center.
The Capitals, who have an amazing 14-1
Columbus re-signs MLS Defender of Year Marshall >>
Columbus, Ohio (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Columbus Crew re-signed 2008 MLS Defender
of the Year Chad Marshall to a multi-year contract. Terms of the deal were not
disclosed.
"We have made a significant commitment to ensure that Chad remains a
Oilers welcome Preds to town >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Edmonton Oilers will take aim at their third
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Football Betting: Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards
Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.
Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.
Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.
Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.
All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.
A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.
For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.
2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award
Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1
Ron Brace (NE) 25/1
Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1
Darius Butler (NE) 40/1
Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1
Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1
Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1
Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1
Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1
Larry English (SD) 15/1
Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1
Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1
Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1
Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1
James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1
Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1
Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1
Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1
Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1
Roy Miller (TB) 20/1
Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1
Fili Moala (IND) 30/1
Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1
Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1
B J Raji (GB) 7/1
Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1
Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1
David Verkune (CLE) 20/1
Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1
Field (Any Other Player) 6/1
To visit this internet sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.
Super Bowl 2009 Betting
Super Bowl 2009 Betting propositionsUnderdog bettors love the Super Bowl and, history suggests, the underdogs love them back. And the big dogs bite harder.
Even so, there is a warning in store for Super Bowl gamblers who must love dogs: The Arizona Cardinals Super Bowl betting lines might not be enough of a Cinderella to make it worth your while.
Although the Cardinals were widely panned as one of the worst division winners and least playoff-worthy teams in recent memory, their trip to Super Bowl XLIII Jan. 31 in Tampa against the Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl betting lines comes with a little more respect from the oddsmakers than you might imagine. They are a 7-point underdog at most sports books.
If you count yourself among those who covet the big dog in the big game, this isn’t exactly great news. You should have been hoping for more points. This is because the facts show that the bigger the dog, the better the bet in the Super Bowl.
Case in point: Over the past 13 seasons, double-figure underdogs in the Super Bowl are 4-0-1 ATS and have won the past three outright. In fact, the last double-digit chalk to do the deed for bettors was the 1995 San Francisco 49ers, who managed to beat the astounding 19-point spot afforded backers of the San Diego Chargers in the 49-26 romp in Super Bowl XXIX.
By contrast, 7-point favorites are 2-1-1 ATS in the same span, the last such contest resulting a cover grinded out by the Colts in their 29-17 win over the Bears two seasons ago in Super Bowl XLI.
In 2004, the Patriots failed to cover the number in their 32-29 triumph over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl props while the Rams and Titans gave everyone a refund in 2000 after the Rams posted a 23-16 win as a seven-point favorite.
So while Arizona’s run has included impressive upsets as a 10-point road underdog to the Carolina Panthers and Sunday’s 32-25 win in the NFC championship game to the 4-point favored Philadelphia Eagles, their long-shot story lacks a bit of the David vs. Goliath storyline of past Super Bowl underdogs.
While the seven-point spread represents a significant gap in the perception of strength between the two teams, it is far from monumental. For example, last season the Giants were the wild-card afterthought turned road-warrior buzzsaw, with stunning wins over the Buccaneers, Cowboys and Packers to earn their place in the Super Bowl.
There, they played spoiler to New England’s bid to become the first 19-0 team in NFL history and cemented their place in sports betting lore with a 17-14 win as a 12.5-point underdog.
In other words, the Cardinals appear to have their work cut out for them as a mid-range underdog. But in homage to the spread beaters who have come before them, here is a brief look back at recent colossal upsets in the Super Bowl:
SB XLII -- 2008 -- New York Giants 17, New England Patriots 14 (Giants +12.5) – Eli Manning’s 13-yard touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress in the final minute clinched the historic upset for the Giants, who used a masterful defensive plan to slow down Tom Brady and the previously undefeated New England Patriots.
XXXVI -- 2002 -- Patriots 20, Rams 17 (Patriots +14) – This was the coming out party for the aforementioned Brady, who went from obscure sixth-round draft pick to Super Bowl hero in one fell swoop. He led the game-winning drive in the final minute – eschewing analyst John Madden’s advice to take a knee and play for overtime – leading to Adam Vinatieri’s memorable 48-yard field goal that split the uprights as time expired.
XXXII 1998 Broncos 31, Packers 24 (Denver +12) – The first of John Elway’s two consecutive Super Bowl titles to put an end to his Hall of Fame career was an upset for the ages. The Broncos used the determination of Elway and a 157-yard, three-touchdown performance from Terrell Davis to turn back Brett Favre and the heavily favored Packers.
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