Canucks host Jackets in key Western Conference battle

Hockey Betting Lines

03/01/2009 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of teams fighting each other for playoff positioning will meet tonight in Vancouver, as the Canucks welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets to General Motors Place.

The Canucks are currently fifth in the Western Conference with 70 points, while the sixth-seeded Blue Jackets are just two points behind. Edmonton and Anaheim are also just one point behind Columbus.

Vancouver just completed a stellar month of February and will try to carry over that success into March. After recording just two wins in 12 January games, the Canucks went 9-2-0 in February.

The Canucks ended the month with wins in five of their last six games and earned a close victory over visiting Tampa Bay on Friday to rebound from Tuesday's loss in Montreal.

Roberto Luongo made 20 saves and Steve Bernier netted the game-winner in the middle of the third period, as Vancouver clipped the Lightning, 2-1, at GM Place.

Alexander Edler added a power-play goal for the Canucks, who are 9-0 with two ties all-time in home games against the Lightning.

Vancouver began a four-game homestand with Friday's win over the Bolts and is 15-11-4 as the host this season. The Canucks have won four straight on home ice after losing their previous nine tests in British Columbia.

The Blue Jackets are coming off a win as they ended a two-game slide with a close decision Thursday in Edmonton. Steve Mason recorded his eighth shutout of the season with 19 saves as Columbus edged the Oilers, 1-0, at Rexall Place.

Raffi Torres, a former Oiler, notched the lone goal of the game for the Blue Jackets.

Mason, a rookie, has recorded two of his 24 victories this season against the Canucks. Columbus is 3-0 against Vancouver this year and will try to complete the season series sweep tonight with its sixth straight win overall against the Canucks.

Columbus has won two in a row and three of its last four at GM Place.

The Blue Jackets are 12-15-4 as the visiting club this year and is completing a three-game road trip tonight. Columbus has won three of its last four road tilts.

Wwwnydailynews Hockey Betting News

<< Streaking Flames host Lightning
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The red-hot Calgary Flames will shoot for a fifth straight victory when the welcome the lowly Tampa Bay Lightning for tonight's interconference battle at the Saddledome. In addition to winning four games in a row, the Flam

<< Pens try to stay hot in Dallas
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Pittsburgh Penguins will shoot for their first three- game winning streak since mid-November when they visit the Dallas Stars for this afternoon's interconference matchup at American Airlines Center. The Penguins, who

<< Nationals GM Bowden resigns
Viera, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Washington Nationals senior vice president and general manager Jim Bowden resigned from his position Sunday morning. No immediate replacement was named. In a statement, Bowden said false allegations

<< Golden Eagles visit Cardinals in pivotal Big East battle
Louisville, KY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two teams still in the thick of the Big East title race clash at Freedom Hall today, as the eighth-ranked Marquette Golden Eagles tussle with the sixth-ranked Louisville Cardinals. The Eagles' title hopes to

<< Blackhawks try to end slide in home test against Kings
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Blackhawks will try to avoid their longest losing streak of the season when they welcome the Los Angeles Kings for today's battle at the United Center. The Blackhawks have lost three straight for the third time

Santana to have elbow examined Monday >>
Port St. Lucie (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New York Mets ace Johan Santana will have his sore left elbow examined Monday in New York. The pitcher was scratched from a start in a "B" game scheduled for this past Friday after feeling

Stoke stuns Villa with two late goals >>
Birmingham, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ryan Shawcross and Glenn Whelan scored goals in the last four minutes to help Stoke City steal a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday. Stiliyan Petrov and John Carew handed the

Flyers' Briere back in lineup >>
Newark, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Philadelphia Flyers forward Danny Briere played in the team's matchup Sunday against the New Jersey Devils, his first action since December 2. Briere had missed the last 36 games with the lingering effec

Pistons' Iverson out again on Sunday >>
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Pistons guard Allen Iverson missed his second straight game Sunday against the Boston Celtics with an ailing back. Iverson left Wednesday's loss to New Orleans after playing only 8:16 after his back stiffened

Bayern settles for draw against 10-man Bremen >>
Bremen, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bayern Munich, coming off a 5-0 win in the Champions League over Sporting Lisbon, continued to struggle in the Bundesliga, tying 10-man Werder Bremen 0-0 on Sunday. Bayern was level on points for the top

American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout

An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.

Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off.  Randy was not impressed though.  Paula thought he started off fantastic.  "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either. 

Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed.  Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact.  He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition. 

Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula.  Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.

Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next.  Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential.  Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell.  He sang "Careless Whisper".

22 year old Chris Richardson was up next.  He was listed with +1100 odds coming in.  He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great. 

Nick was boring and pitchy.  Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week.  Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition. 

Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds .  These of course were the early odds.  He was considered original for picking an "odd song".  He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night. 

Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good. 

Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds.  Great voice and a great sense of humor.  He's a real standout.  Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit.  Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig". 

Jared Cotter followed.  He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition.  The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good. 

22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next.  "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon.  Though the judges felt he performed okay.  Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.

Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition.  He was the last to perform.  He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start. 

Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys.  Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.