Blues begin key homestand against reeling Stars

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03/10/2009 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - If the St. Louis Blues are to get back into the playoff picture on their upcoming homestand, they are going to have to earn it. The team begins that key residency tonight versus the Dallas Stars at Scottrade Center.

The Blues are 13th in the Western Conference with 66 points and trail three teams -- including the Stars -- by four points for the final two playoff spots in the Western Conference.

St. Louis is 16-12-5 at home this year and 5-3-2 in its last 10 as the host. However, this current stand is no walk in the park. Following tonight's test versus the Stars, the Blues host San Jose on Thursday before getting a visit from Detroit two days later. The Sharks and Red Wings are currently tied for the most points in the conference, while St. Louis' homestand ends on Sunday against a Minnesota team that is currently just one point out of a playoff spot.

The Blues have had little trouble with the Stars this year, however. St. Louis has won both of its matchups with Dallas by a 9-2 margin, including a 6-1 home win back on October 16. St. Louis has won six of its last nine overall versus Dallas and five of the last six in the series played in the Gateway City.

The Blues return to Scottrade Center after having a four-game road winning streak end with Saturday's 5-3 loss in Florida. David Backes scored twice and Brad Boyes once for St. Louis, which lost for the fourth time in its last 10 games overall (6-3-1).

Backes and Boyes each have four points over their last two games. Backes has three goals and an assist in that span, with Boyes notching two goals and a pair of assists.

The Stars, who are tied with Edmonton and Nashville in the conference standings, hit the road tonight after Sunday's 3-1 loss to Montreal marked the club's sixth straight setback at home. Dallas is 14-14-4 as the guest this season and has won three of four and six of its last nine as the away team.

Dallas fell on Sunday despite 10 power-play opportunities. The Stars capitalized just once, getting a goal out of Loui Eriksson for his fourth tally in the last three games. He also has five goals and two helpers over a five-game point streak.

Mike Ribeiro added an assist for a fourth consecutive contest and has also scored twice in that span. Marty Turco made just 16 saves for Dallas, which has have lost seven of its last nine overall.

Turco has been in net for both games versus St. Louis this year, allowing eight goals, and is now 9-6-1 with a tie and 2.17 goals against average in 18 career outings versus the Blues.

Fabian Brunnstrom and Jere Lehtinen are both questionable for Dallas for tonight's game. Lehtinen has missed the last three games due to an upper-body injury, while Brunnstrom suffered a shoulder injury against Montreal.

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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. 

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Football Betting: Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards

Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.

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Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.

Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.

Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.

Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.

All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.

A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.

For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.

2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award

Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1

Ron Brace (NE) 25/1

Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1

Darius Butler (NE) 40/1

Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1

Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1

Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1

Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1

Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1

Larry English (SD) 15/1

Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1

Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1

Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1

Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1

James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1

Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1

Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1

Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1

Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1

Roy Miller (TB) 20/1

Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1

Fili Moala (IND) 30/1

Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1

Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1

B J Raji (GB) 7/1

Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1

Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1

David Verkune (CLE) 20/1

Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1

Field (Any Other Player) 6/1

NFL football gambling

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