Blue Jackets host Oilers in meeting of disappointing clubs

Hockey Betting Lines

03/15/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With both clubs headed towards disappointing finishes to the 2009-10 season, the Edmonton Oilers and Columbus Blue Jackets face each other for the final time this year tonight at Nationwide Arena.

Columbus made the postseason for the first time in club history a season ago, but currently sits 14th in the Western Conference with 65 points, 13 back of a postseason spot. The only team the Blue Jackets are ahead of in the West standings are the Oilers, who are last in the NHL with 49 points and will miss the playoffs for a fourth straight season.

The Blue Jackets have won two of three over the Oilers this year, winning each of the last two meetings. Columbus picked up a 3-2 shootout victory over Edmonton on Nov. 16 in the only meeting so far this year at Nationwide Arena, with Jakub Voracek getting the winner in the shootout.

Voracek had the only goal in Saturday's 5-1 loss to St. Louis as Columbus lost for the sixth time in its last eight games. Steve Mason made 31 saves.

"We have to keep stepping up as individuals," forward R.J. Umberger said. "We chased all game and they had puck possession and we could not get it at all. It wasn't like we were passing up opportunities to shoot this time, we just didn't have the puck at all. It's tough to play like that."

Columbus was without two of its top three scorers, as Rick Nash missed his third straight game due to a lower-body injury and Kristian Huselius sat out for the third time in four contests because of a lower-body issue. Nash leads Columbus with 28 goals and 57 points, while Huselius is tied for the team lead with 31 assists and is third with 49 points.

Huselius, though, could return tonight after skating on Sunday, but Nash is doubtful as he is also now battling illness.

Mason is 2-1-0 with a 2.68 goals-against average in three career starts versus the Blue Jackets, but has yet to face them this year. Instead, Mathieu Garon has posted a 2.93 GAA in the three meetings.

The Oilers come to town after dropping a 6-4 decision in Toronto on Saturday. Dustin Penner had a goal and two assists while Andrew Cogliano, Gilbert Brule and Aaron Johnson all scored. However, the Oilers dropped their third straight overall and lost for the 15th time in their last 16 road games.

Jeff Deslauriers stopped 23-of-28 shots before being pulled after the second period. Devan Dubnyk made 18 saves in relief.

"It was disappointing for a few of our guys tonight," said Oilers coach Pat Quinn, who coached his first game at Air Canada Center since being fired by Toronto after the 2005-06 season. "They seemed lost in our zone. For 10 minutes we were fine, but I haven't played in a 10-minute game in a long time. It wasn't good enough for us."

Deslauriers has never faced the Blue Jackets while Dubnyk stopped 25-of-29 shots in his only ever start versus them. That came in a 4-2 setback at Edmonton on Jan. 7 in the most recent meeting between the teams.

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Online Sportsbook Football Betting

LaDainian Tomlinson Favorite to be 2007 NFL MVP

With the first NFL preseason game less than two weeks away, it is time to start thinking about football once again at MySportsbook.com. Reigning NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson is currently the 5-1 co-favorite to win the award again alongside Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning.

This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone after his all out assault on the record books last season. For those suffering from amnesia or were under a rock last football season, all L.T. did last season was set the NFL record for rushing touchdowns (28), total touchdowns (31) and total points scored (186) to go along with his 1815 rushing yards and 508 receiving yards. At 6-1, Tom Brady is next in line which isn’t surprising considering all of the firepower the Pats added over the off-season. With the addition of Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth and Wes Welker; it would be quite difficult for Brady’s numbers not to improve from last years 3529 yards and 24 touchdowns. There appears to be some decent value in Drew Bees at 10-1 considering he probably would have won the award last year if it wasn’t for L.T.’s record breaking season.

There is no reason to think the Saints will come back to earth this season and playing in a weak NFC, they should have as good a shot as any to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. At 15-1, Donovan McNabb could also be worth a look. Remember, many felt he was the MVP of the first half of the season before going down with a season ending injury. Reportedly, he is in great shape and well ahead of schedule to return to form. Also, he could have some added motivation to put up big numbers this season with the Eagles using their first pick in the draft on McNabb’s future successor Kevin Kolb.

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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.

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