Rangers brace for test from high-powered Caps

Hockey Betting Lines

03/06/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After struggling to keep the opposition off the scoreboard their most recent time out, the New York Rangers now have to face the NHL's most potent offense in tonight's showdown with the powerful Washington Capitals from the Verizon Center.

The Rangers were peppered with 55 shots in Thursday's 5-4 overtime loss to reigning Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh at Madison Square Garden, yet still managed to earn an important point due to a career-best 50 saves from goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.

Lundqvist turned aside 18-of-19 chances during a third period in which the Rangers mustered only a single shot on goal, but the Swedish standout was unable to come up with Evgeni Malkin's blast on a 4-on-3 power play with 1:18 remaining in the extra session."

"Hank was outstanding and gave us an opportunity," New York head coach John Tortorella. "At the end of the night, we grabbed a point out of here. Although it is an ugly one, it is a point."

The Rangers had won three in a row prior to Thursday's setback and are engaged in a heated battle for the final few postseason berths in the Eastern Conference. New York presently sits in a tie with both Atlanta and Montreal for eighth place in the standings and is just one point back of Boston for the No. 7 spot.

Lundqvist figures to face another stern challenge tonight, as the Capitals' 251 goals this season is 46 more than second-place Chicago among NHL clubs and the team has scored five times or more in six of its last eight contests, including a 6-5 triumph over the Rangers on February 4 in which Lundqvist stopped just 26-of-32 shots.

Washington kept up its offensive prowess in Thursday's 5-4 decision over Tampa Bay at the Verizon Center, with both Mike Knuble and recently-acquired Scott Walker each lighting the lamp twice to lead the Caps to their second straight win following the Olympic break.

Walker, who came over from Carolina during Wednesday's trade deadline, had scored only three times in 33 games with the Hurricanes this season. It was the 36-year-old grinder's first multi-goal effort since March 2, 2007.

"I'm just excited to be here and get the two points for the team," he said afterward.

Walker was one of four players brought in by Washington to bolster the Eastern Conference front-runners for the upcoming postseason. Center Eric Belanger and defenseman Joe Corvo also participated in Thursday's win after being acquired from Minnesota and Carolina, respectively. The Caps also landed defenseman Milan Jurcina from Columbus on Wednesday, but the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Slovak will miss at least a month due to a sports hernia.

Mike Green notched two assists for Washington on Thursday to extend his personal point streak to seven games. The All-Star defenseman has recorded three goals and eight helpers over that time.

The Rangers hope the anticipated return of star sniper Marian Gaborik will help enable them to keep pace with the high-scoring Capitals. The dangerous right wing, who ranks fifth in the NHL with 35 goals this season, sat out New York's first two tilts following the Olympic break after sustaining a groin injury while competing for Slovakia at the Vancouver Games.

Gaborik has four goals and two assists over the three previous meetings between the teams this season, two of which have been won by Washington. The Capitals are 7-1-1 over their last nine regular-season matchups with the Rangers, and New York has been dealt losses in four of its five most recent non-playoff visits to the Verizon Center.

The Rangers did post a 4-3 victory in their latest trip to Washington, though, with Gaborik tallying twice in that October 8 win.

Wwwjobtrack Hockey Betting News

<< Hurricanes go for eighth straight in visit to Florida
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A fire sale at the trade deadline has yet to slow down the Carolina Hurricanes, who'll be taking aim at an eighth consecutive victory in tonight's clash with the Southeast Division-rival Florida Panthers from the BankAtlantic

<< Bruins visit Isles in first stop of long trip
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Bruins closed out their pre-Olympic break schedule with excellent play on the road, something the team hopes carries over when it opens up a season-long seven-game trek with this afternoon's matchup with the New Yo

<< Jazz host Clippers in Salt Lake City
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Utah Jazz hope to keep the pressure on Northwest Division-leading Denver when they get back to work on Saturday by hosting the Los Angeles Clippers. The Jazz, who are 1 1/2 games behind the Nuggets in the Nor

<< Bobcats hope to stay on track vs. Warriors
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Charlotte Bobcats are coming off a huge win over the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers, and hope to stay within striking distance of a playoff spot when they resume a three-game homestand tonight versus

<< Hawks, Heat get together in south Florida
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Southeast Division rivals meet in Miami Saturday night as the Heat play host to the Atlanta Hawks. The Heat, who are currently holding on to the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, are coming off th

Thrashers' playoff push resumes in Tampa >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Atlanta Thrashers will shoot for a third straight victory when they visit the struggling Tampa Bay Lightning tonight at St. Pete Times Forum. The Thrashers have won two straight since the NHL came back from the Olympic

Revamped Coyotes host Ducks in Pacific clash >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Phoenix Coyotes will try to record consecutive wins when they welcome the Anaheim Ducks for tonight's Pacific Division battle at Jobing.com Arena. The Coyotes were dealt their third straight loss when they emerged from

Blues hope to keep flying high in trip to Colorado >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The St. Louis Blues are in position to record their longest winning streak in over six years, but to reach that mark they'll have to find a way to halt their struggles versus the Colorado Avalanche this season. St. Louis g

Kings vie to bounce back against Canadiens >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Coming off just their second regulation loss in 14 games, the Los Angeles Kings will try to post their first victory over the Montreal Canadiens in seven years tonight in a meeting at Staples Center. The Kings came out of

Sharks aim to maintain home mastery of Jackets >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Jose Sharks have gotten off to a bit of a slow start since the Olympic break. A visit from the Columbus Blue Jackets could provide the spark they need. San Jose continues a five-game residency tonight seeking an 11

Super Bowl XLIV Odds

Super Bowl XLIII isn't even a week old yet and oddsmakers have already released Super Bowl XLIV odds.

Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers winning Super Bowl 43, the New England Patriots are 8/1 favorites to win Super Bowl 44.

Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds

With their 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, the Steelers became the latest NFL champion. But believe it or not, oddsmakers from online sports book MySportsbook.com don't have the Steelers the favorites to win Super Bowl XLIV next season.

That honor belongs to the New England Patriots, who are 8/1 favorites to win despite not even qualify for the postseason in 2008. The Pats also have a major decision to make regarding what to do with Matt Cassel, who played well in Tom Brady's (knee surgery) absence last year but is also a free agent this offseason.

Ironically, the Steelers aren't even oddsmakers second choice to win Super Bowl 44, as the Dallas Cowboys are listed right behind the Patriots at 9/1 despite not making the playoffs themselves. Clearly oddsmakers think the public will hop back on the Cowboys' bandwagon considering the immense talent they have and the opening of a brand new stadium.

After Dallas, then comes Pittsburgh at 10/1, but they share those odds with the New York Giants, who won Super Bowl XLII. The Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers round out the top six teams at 12/1, while the Baltimore Ravens (14/1), Tennessee Titans (16/1), Carolina Panthers (18/1) and Philadelphia Eagles (18/1) complete the top 10.

The NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals got no love from oddsmakers as they were established as a 30/1 long shot to win next year's Super Bowl. They share those same odds with the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers – two teams that didn't even qualify for the postseason. Other long shots are the Kansas City Chiefs (100/1), Detroit Lions (100/1), St. Louis Rams (75/1) and Oakland Raiders (75/1).

To see a complete list of all the team's odds to win Super Bowl XLIV, check below.

NFL TEAM FUTURE ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL XLIV

New England Patriots 8/1

Dallas Cowboys 9/1

New York Giants 10/1

Pittsburgh Steelers 10/1

Indianapolis Colts 12/1

San Diego Chargers 12/1

Baltimore Ravens 14/1

Tennessee Titans 16/1

Carolina Panthers 18/1

Philadelphia Eagles 18/1

New Orleans Saints 20/1

Atlanta Falcons 25/1

Denver Broncos 25/1

Green Bay Packers 25/1

Jacksonville Jaguars 25/1

Minnesota Vikings 25/1

New York Jets 25/1

Arizona Cardinals 30/1

Chicago BearS 30/1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30/1

Buffalo Bills 35/1

Houston TexaNS 35/1

Miami Dolphins 35/1

Washington Redskins 35/1

Seattle SeahawkS 50/1

Cleveland Browns 55/1

Cincinnati Bengals 60/1

San Francisco 49ers 60/1

Oakland Raiders 75/1

St. Louis Rams 75/1

Detroit Lions 100/1

Kansas City Chiefs 100/1

Odds as of: 2/2/09

Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds

To visit this online sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.

Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value

If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture.  Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).

For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot.  The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.

TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the  drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.

"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,'  it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."

"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.

Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash.  Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win. 

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa needs.