12/01/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Colorado Avalanche will try to halt a five-game losing streak in Minnesota, where they play the Wild tonight at Xcel Energy Center.
The Avalanche haven't won in Minnesota since a 2-1 shootout victory on January 6, 2007. The Wild's success over the Avalanche hasn't been limited to just St. Paul either, as they have won six of their last nine overall versus Colorado.
Colorado lost a 3-1 home decision to the Wild back on November 6. Peter Budaj allowed three goals on 20 shots, as the Avs played without Joe Sakic on that day.
Sakic has missed eight of Colorado's last 11 games due to a lingering back issue. He returned to the lineup on Friday against the Coyotes, but didn't play much and then sat out Saturday's 4-3 win over Tampa Bay. Sakic did not accompany Colorado to Minnesota and is out indefinitely.
The Avalanche scored three first-period goals versus the Lightning on Saturday, getting two from Wojtek Wolski and one from Jordan Leopold. David Jones added what turned out to be the game-winning goal in the third frame.
Marek Svatos had three assists in the win to match a career-high for points in a game for Colorado, which also placed defenseman Adam Foote on injured reserve on Saturday due to back and knee issues.
Budaj was given the day off on Saturday, with Andrew Raycroft making just his second appearance of November. Raycroft made 17 saves for his first win since October 18. Budaj should be back in net tonight, as he is 6-7-2 with a 2.80 goals against average lifetime against the Wild.
Colorado begins a three-game road trip tonight and is 5-7-0 as the visiting team this year. The club has lost three of its last four on the road.
Like Budaj, Minnesota starting netminder Niklas Backstrom was given the night off Saturday and should start tonight. Backstrom is 8-1-1 with a 1.96 GAA in 10 starts versus Colorado and made 35 saves in beating the Avs earlier this year.
Josh Harding was in net on Saturday and was backed by a franchise-record tying five power-play goals in a 6-2 win over Nashville. Harding made 25 saves in his second start of the season.
Mikko Koivu scored twice, once on the power play, and had an assist, while Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Andrew Brunette, Owen Nolan, and Craig Weller all scored on the man advantage.
Minnesota is now second in the NHL on the power play at 24 percent (24- for-100).
Brunette added two assists in Saturday's win, with Antti Miettinen chipping in with three helpers for Minnesota, which has won two straight and three of its last four games.
The Wild, one point back of first-place Vancouver in the Northwest Division, is 7-4-1 at home this year and kicks off a three-game residency tonight.
<< Canucks try to rebound with test in Columbus
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Vancouver Canucks will try to avoid a third straight
loss when they visit the Columbus Blue Jackets for tonight's battle at
Nationwide Arena.
The Canucks had won four in a row before being swept in a home-and-home seri
<< Sabres host Predators in western New York
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Buffalo Sabres will aim for their third win in four
games when they welcome the Nashville Predators for this evening's contest at
HSBC Arena.
The Sabres ended a five-game losing streak with consecutive victories over
<< Espanyol lets go of manager Marquez
Barcelona, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Espanyol have sacked coach Bartolome
Marquez after a 1-0 loss to Sporting Gijon left the club facing a relegation
battle at the wrong end of the La Liga table.
Marquez's side have won just three o
<< Leonardi admits crisis at Udinese
Udine, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Udinese's general director Pietro Leonardi has
admitted that the club have slumped into a mini crisis, having lost their last
four games in Serie A.
A 1-0 home defeat by Chievo added to the pressure at the
Red Bull announces 2009 driver, crew chief lineup >>
Mooresville, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Red Bull Racing set its 2009 Sprint Cup
Series roster Monday with Ryan Pemberton serving as Brian Vickers' new crew
chief and Jimmy Elledge guiding Scott Speed as he runs for rookie of the year
honors.
Kiffin introduced as coach of Vols >>
Knoxville, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The University of Tennessee made it official
Monday and formally introduced Lane Kiffin as the 21st head football coach in
school history.
"I met with all of our players last night and they are definitely
Sale of Curlin disallowed >>
Frankfort, KY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The acquisition of the remaining 20-percent
interest in 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin by his majority owner has been
rejected by a Kentucky judge. The decision by Judge Roger Crittenden was made
Monday.
All-Conference Pioneer League Team Announced >>
St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jacksonville, the PFL regular-season
champion, saw freshman quarterback Josh McGregor pick up the league's Freshman
Offensive Player of the Year award while head coach Kerwin Bell was named the
league's Coach of
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 SPORTS TRASH TALK
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.
Sportsbook betting odds favor Europe in Ryder Cup
September 19, – Despite holding a decided edge in the all-time series, with 24 wins, 2 ties and 10 losses, Team USA is the underdog again heading into the Ryder Cup in Kidare, Ireland this weekend, according to MySportsbook.com. The Europeans have captured four of the past five editions, including their largest victory ever, an 18 ½ to 9 ½ thumping in Michigan in 2004. Current Ryder Cup betting odds favor the Europeans to continue their winning ways; they are a 4-5 bet to take the title, compared to 6-5 for the Americans.
Despite being knocked out in the first round of World Match play by Shaun Micheel, Tiger Woods is predicted to lead the US charge and be their highest point scorer for the week, with odds listed at 9-4 that he outpoints all other American players, including Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson and Chris DiMarco to name a few. Team USA has four relatively unknown players on the roster but all four are 2007 tournament winners and have posted some of season’s best performances, each earning over $1.5 million on the PGA TOUR. They include Zach Johnson, Vaughan Taylor, JJ Henry and Brett Wetterich.
The experienced European squad includes the likes of Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia, Padraig Harrington, Jose Maria Olazabal and Darren Clarke, who’s emotions will be tested after the passing of his wife to a battle with cancer. Donald and Garcia are in particularly good form and each is a 5-1 bet to lead the European squad in the points race. Donald has proven he can go head to head with Woods at a major event after a run for the $1.2 million purse at the PGA Championship. Garcia’s Ryder Cup credentials prove he’s ready for battle too.
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Ryder Cup Odds| Europe Tie USA |
4-5 10-1 6-5 |
| Tiger Woods Jim Furyk Phil Mickelson Chris DiMarco David Toms Stewart Cink Chad Campbell Scott Verplank Zach Johnson Vaughan Taylor JJ Henry Brett Wetterich |
9-4 4-1 5-1 7-1 8-1 12-1 15-1 15-1 25-1 30-1 30-1 50-1 |
| Sergio Garcia Luke Donald Padraig Harrington Colin Montgomerie Darren Clarke David Howell Lee Westwood Paul Casey Henrik Stenson Jose Maria Olazabal Paul McGinley Robert Karlsson |
5-1 5-1 6-1 13-2 8-1 9-1 9-1 11-1 12-1 12-1 20-1 25-1 |
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