Flames battle Stars in Big D
Hockey Betting Lines
02/16/2012 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Flames have been racking up points so far in February and their latest convincing victory has them within a point of a playoff spot.
Calgary puts a six-game point streak on the line this evening against the Dallas Stars.
The Flames are 4-0-2 this month and now sit second in the Northwest Division with 62 points. That still has them 16 points out of first place but only one back of eighth place Phoenix in the Western Conference standings.
Calgary rode a 41-save effort by Miikka Kiprusoff to a 5-1 win over visiting Toronto on Tuesday. The Flames goaltender notched the 302nd win of his career and is 9-3-2 in his past 14 starts.
"When you're in a dogfight like this and you're scratching and clawing for every point, it's nice to have Kipper," Flames head coach Brent Sutter said of his goaltender.
Calgary's top line of Olli Jokinen, Alex Tanguay and captain Jarome Iginla combined for seven points, with Tanguay leading the way with a goal and two assists. Jokinen scored and assisted on another to give him 13 points in his last 10 games, while Paul Byron scored on a penalty shot.
The Stars would love to swap places with the Flames. Dallas has lost three straight and 10 of its past 14 and sits three points behind Calgary in the standings.
The Stars became the latest victim of the Red Wings' record-breaking home win streak as they dropped a 3-1 decision in Detroit on Tuesday. It marked the 21st win in a row at home by the Red Wings, breaking the mark set by the 1929-30 Boston Bruins and later matched by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1975-76.
Dallas was nearly shut out on the milestone night before Adam Burish scored with 32.8 seconds left. Kari Lehtonen made 34 saves.
"Sometimes you have to tip your cap to the other guys and tonight I'm tipping my cap to Detroit," said Burish, who ended a 10-game point drought. "They're pretty darn good, but I would have liked to be the team to snap it."
The Stars and Flames are meeting for the first time this season after Calgary swept the four-game set last year. The Flames won both of their trips to Dallas in a shootout.
These clubs will play each other three more times next month, including a home-and-home set on March 24 and 26.
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After splitting the first two tests of an epic nine-game road trip, the San Jose Sharks will travel to the Sunshine State for tonight's battle against the Lightning at Tampa Times Forum. Thanks to a tennis tournament curre
<< Sliding Wild welcome Jets to St. Paul
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The last time the Wild and Jets squared off, Minnesota was
at the top of the NHL standings. Things have certainly changed since.
Minnesota hopes to avoid a sixth straight defeat and falling further back in
the playoff race
<< Leino, Sabres visit Flyers
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The struggling Philadelphia Flyers hope the return of Ilya
Bryzgalov can help them avoid their sixth loss in seven games, as they get set
to host the Buffalo Sabres in tonight's clash at Wells Fargo Center.
The Flyers are
<< Blues aim to bounce back against visiting Isles
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The St. Louis Blues will try to rebound from just their
third regulation loss of 2012 when they host the New York Islanders tonight at
Scottrade Center.
St. Louis has gone 13-3-2 since the start of January and one of the f
<< Pirates beat Jones in arbitration; avoid hearing with McGehee
Pittsburgh, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Pittsburgh Pirates won their salary
arbitration case with first baseman Garrett Jones and avoided a hearing with
newly-acquired third baseman Casey McGehee.
Jones will earn a salary of $2.25 milli
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Kings remain the lowest-scoring team in the league, but perhaps some fresh blood can kick start the offense. It certainly worked on Sunday. After capping a six-game road trip with a victory thanks in part t
Phillies the early World Series favorite >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With pitchers and catchers all set to
head out to Florida and Arizona, it is apparent Major League Baseball is
ready to fill some of the void in the sports world left by the end of the
National Football Leagu
Sorenstam turns down Solheim Cup captaincy >>
Orlando, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - While making her weekly appearance on Golf
Channel's "Morning Drive," Annika Sorenstam announced she would not accept an
offer to be the European Solheim Cup captain in 2013.
"I've given it some thought
Jones back for 3-point contest; Howard, Durant to coach celebs >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Miami's James Jones will defend his All-Star
three-point title at this year's festivities, while Orlando's Dwight Howard
and Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant will be coaches for the celebrity game.
Joining J
Dortmund's Kagawa tears ankle ligament >>
Dortmund, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Borussia Dortmund's Japanese midfielder
Shinji Kagawa tore a ligament in his left ankle in training and will be out at
least two weeks, the Bundesliga club announced Thursday.
The 22-year-old was injur
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.