Battered Blackhawks pay a visit to Kings

Hockey Betting Lines

03/18/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - When you are one of the top teams in the NHL, you tend to have a target on your back. That term has taken a literal meaning for the Chicago Blackhawks as of late.

Chicago will try to snap a three-game losing streak and recover from the loss of yet another defenseman tonight, when it takes on the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center.

The Blackhawks are two points behind the San Jose Sharks for the top seed in the Western Conference, but matched their longest losing streak of the season with last night's 4-2 setback to the Anaheim Ducks, a loss that was made worse with the early exit of Brent Seabrook to injury.

Seabrook, who scored in the defeat along with Marian Hossa, left early in the second period after getting drilled into the boards by former teammate and current Anaheim defender James Wisniewski. Seabrook's head was driven into the glass with force, landing him on the ice a few moments after the hit, which earned Wisniewski a charging call.

Chicago defenseman Duncan Keith immediately fought Wisniewski, who began his NHL career with the Blackhawks in 2005-06 before getting dealt to the Ducks in March of 2009, and Nick Boynton also fought Wisniewski late in the third period.

"That was pretty frustrating and angering," said Chicago captain Jonathan Toews. "We're not happy about that, obviously. A lot of guys in this locker room know the guy that did it, and it becomes pretty personal when something like that happens. "He wasn't skating in from the blue line for any other reason than to run him over and take the liberty on [Seabrook]. We're proud and happy for the guys like Duncan and Nick that stood up for him."

Boynton was recalled from Rockford of the American Hockey League on Tuesday, the same day Chicago learned that defenseman Brian Campbell would miss seven- to-eight weeks because of a fractured collarbone and broken rib suffered when he was hit into the boards from behind by Washington's Alex Ovechkin on Sunday. Ovechkin earned a two-game suspension for the hit.

With Cristobal Huet out with flu-like symptoms and fellow goaltender Antti Niemi having allowed four goals in that setback to the Capitals, Corey Crawford was also recalled from Rockford on Tuesday and made his first start since March 12, 2008. He made 32 saves in the opener of a three-game road trip.

The Kings will also be looking to shake off a tough loss, as they dropped the opener of a four-game homestand on Sunday, 3-2, to the Predators.

Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown both scored for Los Angeles, which has lost seven straight to Nashville but only fell to 6-2-1 in its last nine at home overall. Jonathan Quick made 28 saves in defeat.

"It is not about them, it is about us," said Kopitar, who matched his 2007-08 career high by scoring his 32nd goal of the season. "The way we approached the game [Sunday], we were lacking energy and lacking effort. It is not the way to start a game, especially against a team we have not had success against. Most importantly, a team that is chasing us for a playoff spot. It is unacceptable."

The Kings have now fallen a point back of the Colorado Avalanche for the fifth spot in the West with two games in hand.

The Blackhawks have won four of their last five versus the Kings, including both meetings in Chicago this year. However, Los Angeles notched a 2-1 shootout victory at home on Nov. 28 on Kopitar's game-winner in the deciding frame, and has won three straight and four of the last five games played in Los Angeles between the teams.

Bigno Hockey Betting News

<< Slumping Sharks try to bounce back against Canucks
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - While the San Jose Sharks are coming off their most lopsided defeat of the season, the Vancouver Canucks are dealing with the loss of one of their biggest weapons. San Jose will try to halt a three-game slide this evening

<< Back injury forces Singh to withdraw
Palm Harbor, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Vijay Singh withdrew from the Transitions Championship before Thursday's first round because of a back injury. Singh was set to tee off with defending champion Retief Goosen and reigning U.S. Open winn

<< West Regional action features Bulldogs against Miners
San Jose, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Appearing in the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive year, the Butler Bulldogs kick off first-round action of the 72nd annual event this afternoon against the Miners of Texas-El Paso at HP Pavilion in San

<< Vols set sights on Aztecs in first-round action
Providence, RI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - In search of their first-ever NCAA Tournament win, the 11th-seeded San Diego State Aztecs take aim at the sixth- seeded Tennessee Volunteers in the first round at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. The survivor of this

<< Bears and Bearkats collide in South Regional action
New Orleans, LA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Playing in their second NCAA Tournament in the last three seasons, the Baylor Bears will tangle with the Sam Houston State Bearkats in first round action of the South Region at New Orleans Arena this afternoon

Reynolds, Fisher held out of Villanova starting lineup >>
Providence, RI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Villanova guards Scottie Reynolds and Corey Fisher were not in the starting lineup for Thursday's NCAA Tournament opener against Robert Morris. CBS Sports reported that head coach Jay Wright called it a

Crew bounced from Champions League >>
Toluca, Mexico (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Columbus Crew were bounced out of the CONCACAF Champions League on Wednesday night after a 3-2 loss in Mexico vs. Toluca. Toluca, which advances with a 5-4 aggregate score, faces fellow Mexican s

Seahawks trade for QB Whitehurst >>
Kirkland, WA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Seattle Seahawks acquired quarterback Charlie Whitehurst from the San Diego Chargers for undisclosed draft considerations on Thursday. According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the Char

Toyota sign could loom over Wrigley >>
CHICAGO (AP) -The Chicago Cubs owe much of their identity to two factors - their 101-year drought without a World Series title and Wrigley Field.The Cubs and automaker Toyota are working out a sponsorship deal that could put the company's logo on a

Eagles sign newly-acquired Tapp to three-year deal >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Eagles signed defensive end Darryl Tapp to a three-year contract on Thursday. Philly acquired Tapp from the Seattle Seahawks earlier in the week in exchange for defensive end Chris Clemo

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.

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.