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Blues hope to continue surge versus Blue JacketsHockey Betting Lines03/13/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A strong road trip has put the St. Louis Blues back in contention for a postseason berth. The surging club continues its critical swing with tonight's visit to the Columbus Blue Jackets, who'll be seeking a third consecutive victory when they take the Nationwide Arena ice. St. Louis' playoff push actually began prior to the Olympic break, when the club put together a perfect three-game homestand before the NHL temporarily stopped its schedule for the Vancouver Games. The Blues have remained hot since returning to action, winning three of four tests thus far on this current trek that concludes Sunday in Minnesota. The latest victory came in a shootout against the New York Islanders, with T.J. Oshie and Brad Boyes each scoring during the final phase to give the Blues a 2-1 triumph. Chris Mason stopped New York's Frans Nielsen to open the shootout before Oshie scored on a wrister. Mason then made a save on Matt Moulson before Boyes beat Martin Biron with a wrist shot of his own to secure the victory. Mason was also sharp in regulation and overtime, turning aside 29 of the 30 shots he faced. New York took a 1-0 lead on Moulson's power-play goal late in the first period, but Patrik Berglund scored with St. Louis on a man-advantage 6:24 into the second to tie the contest. The centerman now has three goals and three assists during a six-game point streak. "Penalty kill's been outstanding this year and the last little while," said Blues interim head coach Davis Payne. "[The Islanders] found the way to get the [goal] at the end of that first power play of theirs, and we answered with one of our own and our penalty kill really stepped up." Playing well on the road has become rather common for the Blues, who trail Calgary by six points for the final playoff seed in the Western Conference entering today's play. The team is an impressive 19-10-4 as the visitor this season. St. Louis has not been able to establish success at Nationwide Arena however, having lost both of its two previous tests with the Blue Jackets held in Columbus during 2009-10 as well as three of the four overall matchups in the season series. The Blue Jackets had dropped the first three outings of their post-break slate before delivering a 5-2 victory at Anaheim on Tuesday. That result was followed up with a 2-1 verdict over Atlanta in Thursday's opener of a four- game homestand. Both wins have come without the services of leading scorer Rick Nash, and the standout forward is expected to miss a third straight game tonight because of unspecified lower-body injuries. The former No. 1 overall draft choice has generated 28 goals and 29 assists in 66 games this season. Left wing Kristian Huselius was able to return from an injured hand that sidelined him for two games, however, and the native Swede recorded a goal and an assist to spark Columbus' offense against the Thrashers. Mathieu Garon did his part on the defensive end, with the Jackets' netminder stopping 28-of-29 shots on the evening.
<< Red Wings aim to get back in playoff picture against Sabres
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Finally healthy, the Red Wings' offense has looked like a dangerous unit that could give teams trouble in the playoffs. However, Detroit still needs to get there first. The Red Wings will try to leap into the eighth spot i
<< Coyotes hit the road to take on Hurricanes
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<< Habs and Bruins square off as playoff hopefuls
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Home sweet home: Canucks return to GM Place to battle Senators >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The wait is finally over. After playing 14 straight times on the road over a span of six weeks, the Vancouver Canucks finally return to GM Place for tonight's interconference showdown with the slumping Ottawa Senators.
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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday. Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine. El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year. MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle. New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele. Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.'' Additional baseball lines and World Series odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards. |
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