Panthers shoot for rare win in Jersey
Hockey Betting Lines
02/11/2012 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Florida Panthers hope to reclaim sole possession of first place in the Southeast Division with a scarce road win against the Devils this afternoon in New Jersey.
The Panthers have posted a 5-5-4 record over their last 14 games and dropped into second place in the division with consecutive road losses in Tampa Bay and Washington. Their 4-0 setback to the Capitals on Tuesday put them one point behind Washington in the standings.
However, Florida rebounded with a 3-1 home win over Los Angeles on Thursday, while Washington dropped a shootout tally to Winnipeg. That evened up the division race once again at 61 points each, though a point today for the Panthers would snap the tie as the Capitals are idle.
Mike Santorelli helped key Thursday's win with a goal, while Sean Bergenheim also tallied and Scott Clemmensen made 22 saves as Florida snapped a seven- game skid to Los Angeles.
"The last game [in Washington], we didn't play too well. It was good to bounce back and we've got to keep this thing rolling," said Santorelli.
Things got dicey for the Panthers when Drew Doughty scored with 2:28 left in regulation for the Kings, but Matt Bradley restored the two-goal edge with an empty-netter.
"We really got back on our heels and that's not the type of game that we want," said Clemmensen. "We want to take it to the other team and we want to be going the whole 60 minutes."
The Panthers will also visit the Islanders on Sunday and have lost 10 of their past 11 overall on the road. That trend may continue tonight in New Jersey, where Florida has lost three of four and 11 of its past 14. That includes a 5-2 loss at the Prudential Center on Jan. 6 in the third of four meetings with the Devils this year after splitting a pair of encounters in Sunrise.
Patrik Elias played in his 1,000th game in that January meeting and set up one of two goals by Ilya Kovalchuk. Elias was one of three goal scorers for the Devils in Thursday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Blues that snapped New Jersey's season-high five-game win streak.
Zach Parise and Adam Henrique also scored for the Devils and Johan Hedberg made 23 saves while starting in place of Martin Brodeur, who was scratched from the lineup due to an ankle injury. Despite getting a point, New Jersey dropped three points behind Philadelphia for the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference.
"Sometimes if you're playing good teams they are going to win too," said Hedberg. "They're a good team and they play consistent. They don't turn away from their system."
Although Brodeur was unable to suit up on Thursday, he is expected to get the start this afternoon. However, New Jersey still has the likes of Ryan Carter (hand), Adam Larsson (back), Henrik Tallinder (leg) and Travis Zajac (Achilles) on the shelf with injuries.
Winnipeg, MB (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Winnipeg Jets have activated center Tim Stapleton off injured reserve. Stapleton had been sidelined since January 20 with a lower body injury. He has appeared in 37 games this season, entering Saturda
<< Thrashers activate Stapleton off IR
Winnipeg, MB (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Winnipeg Jets have activated center Tim
Stapleton off injured reserve.
Stapleton had been sidelined since January 20 with a lower body injury. He has
appeared in 37 games this season, entering Saturda
<< Hantuchova to face Kirilenko for Pattaya crown
Pattaya City, Thailand (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Defending champion Daniela
Hantuchova and Maria Kirilenko were semifinal winners Saturday and will meet
for the title at the Pattaya Open.
The third-seeded Hantuchova eased past Taiwanes
<< Westwood vaults into Dubai lead
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Lee Westwood fired a five-under
67 on Saturday to vault into the lead at 15-under par after three rounds of
the Dubai Desert Classic.
Westwood was three shots behind Rory McIlroy and Thom
<< Thunder's Brooks to coach West All-Stars
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Oklahoma City's Scott Brooks will coach the
Western Conference at the All-Star Game later this month.
The Thunder's 101-87 win over Utah on Friday enabled Oklahoma City to clinch
the conference's best r
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Denver Nuggets will try to halt a season-high five-game losing streak when they visit the Hoosier State to take on the Indiana Pacers. The Nuggets have hit the skids and hit them hard, dropping four of five during the
Clippers continue road trip in Charlotte >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Clippers continue their lengthy Grammy Road
Trip by visiting the Queen City to take on the hapless Charlotte Bobcats.
Chris Paul buried a game-winning shot with 3.2 seconds remaining on Friday as
the Clippe
Frustrated Kings visit Islanders >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It has been an offensively-frustrating road trip for the
Los Angeles Kings, one they will continue this afternoon against a New York
Islanders club that failed to post a point for the first time in six games
last time out.
Sixers try to right the ship in Cleveland >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia 76ers will try to put the brakes on their
first losing streak of the season when they square off with a Cleveland team
that will be minus rookie star Kyrie Irving for a third consecutive game.
The Sixers c
Bruins host Preds in clash between struggling clubs >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Nashville Predators and Boston Bruins are trying not to
panic during their recent skids. The two clubs look to get right this
afternoon as the Predators visit the Bruins.
Though Nashville is 14-4-1 over its past 19 gam
Online Sportsbook Football Betting
LaDainian Tomlinson Favorite to be 2007 NFL MVP
With the first NFL preseason game less than two weeks away, it is time to start thinking about football once again at MySportsbook.com. Reigning NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson is currently the 5-1 co-favorite to win the award again alongside Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning.
This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone after his all out assault on the record books last season. For those suffering from amnesia or were under a rock last football season, all L.T. did last season was set the NFL record for rushing touchdowns (28), total touchdowns (31) and total points scored (186) to go along with his 1815 rushing yards and 508 receiving yards. At 6-1, Tom Brady is next in line which isn’t surprising considering all of the firepower the Pats added over the off-season. With the addition of Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth and Wes Welker; it would be quite difficult for Brady’s numbers not to improve from last years 3529 yards and 24 touchdowns. There appears to be some decent value in Drew Bees at 10-1 considering he probably would have won the award last year if it wasn’t for L.T.’s record breaking season.
There is no reason to think the Saints will come back to earth this season and playing in a weak NFC, they should have as good a shot as any to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. At 15-1, Donovan McNabb could also be worth a look. Remember, many felt he was the MVP of the first half of the season before going down with a season ending injury. Reportedly, he is in great shape and well ahead of schedule to return to form. Also, he could have some added motivation to put up big numbers this season with the Eagles using their first pick in the draft on McNabb’s future successor Kevin Kolb.
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NFL Football Betting
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.