Battered Blackhawks pay a visit to Kings

Hockey Betting Lines

03/18/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - When you are one of the top teams in the NHL, you tend to have a target on your back. That term has taken a literal meaning for the Chicago Blackhawks as of late.

Chicago will try to snap a three-game losing streak and recover from the loss of yet another defenseman tonight, when it takes on the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center.

The Blackhawks are two points behind the San Jose Sharks for the top seed in the Western Conference, but matched their longest losing streak of the season with last night's 4-2 setback to the Anaheim Ducks, a loss that was made worse with the early exit of Brent Seabrook to injury.

Seabrook, who scored in the defeat along with Marian Hossa, left early in the second period after getting drilled into the boards by former teammate and current Anaheim defender James Wisniewski. Seabrook's head was driven into the glass with force, landing him on the ice a few moments after the hit, which earned Wisniewski a charging call.

Chicago defenseman Duncan Keith immediately fought Wisniewski, who began his NHL career with the Blackhawks in 2005-06 before getting dealt to the Ducks in March of 2009, and Nick Boynton also fought Wisniewski late in the third period.

"That was pretty frustrating and angering," said Chicago captain Jonathan Toews. "We're not happy about that, obviously. A lot of guys in this locker room know the guy that did it, and it becomes pretty personal when something like that happens. "He wasn't skating in from the blue line for any other reason than to run him over and take the liberty on [Seabrook]. We're proud and happy for the guys like Duncan and Nick that stood up for him."

Boynton was recalled from Rockford of the American Hockey League on Tuesday, the same day Chicago learned that defenseman Brian Campbell would miss seven- to-eight weeks because of a fractured collarbone and broken rib suffered when he was hit into the boards from behind by Washington's Alex Ovechkin on Sunday. Ovechkin earned a two-game suspension for the hit.

With Cristobal Huet out with flu-like symptoms and fellow goaltender Antti Niemi having allowed four goals in that setback to the Capitals, Corey Crawford was also recalled from Rockford on Tuesday and made his first start since March 12, 2008. He made 32 saves in the opener of a three-game road trip.

The Kings will also be looking to shake off a tough loss, as they dropped the opener of a four-game homestand on Sunday, 3-2, to the Predators.

Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown both scored for Los Angeles, which has lost seven straight to Nashville but only fell to 6-2-1 in its last nine at home overall. Jonathan Quick made 28 saves in defeat.

"It is not about them, it is about us," said Kopitar, who matched his 2007-08 career high by scoring his 32nd goal of the season. "The way we approached the game [Sunday], we were lacking energy and lacking effort. It is not the way to start a game, especially against a team we have not had success against. Most importantly, a team that is chasing us for a playoff spot. It is unacceptable."

The Kings have now fallen a point back of the Colorado Avalanche for the fifth spot in the West with two games in hand.

The Blackhawks have won four of their last five versus the Kings, including both meetings in Chicago this year. However, Los Angeles notched a 2-1 shootout victory at home on Nov. 28 on Kopitar's game-winner in the deciding frame, and has won three straight and four of the last five games played in Los Angeles between the teams.

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Super Bowl XLIV Odds

Super Bowl XLIII isn't even a week old yet and oddsmakers have already released Super Bowl XLIV odds.

Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers winning Super Bowl 43, the New England Patriots are 8/1 favorites to win Super Bowl 44.

Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds

With their 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, the Steelers became the latest NFL champion. But believe it or not, oddsmakers from online sports book MySportsbook.com don't have the Steelers the favorites to win Super Bowl XLIV next season.

That honor belongs to the New England Patriots, who are 8/1 favorites to win despite not even qualify for the postseason in 2008. The Pats also have a major decision to make regarding what to do with Matt Cassel, who played well in Tom Brady's (knee surgery) absence last year but is also a free agent this offseason.

Ironically, the Steelers aren't even oddsmakers second choice to win Super Bowl 44, as the Dallas Cowboys are listed right behind the Patriots at 9/1 despite not making the playoffs themselves. Clearly oddsmakers think the public will hop back on the Cowboys' bandwagon considering the immense talent they have and the opening of a brand new stadium.

After Dallas, then comes Pittsburgh at 10/1, but they share those odds with the New York Giants, who won Super Bowl XLII. The Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers round out the top six teams at 12/1, while the Baltimore Ravens (14/1), Tennessee Titans (16/1), Carolina Panthers (18/1) and Philadelphia Eagles (18/1) complete the top 10.

The NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals got no love from oddsmakers as they were established as a 30/1 long shot to win next year's Super Bowl. They share those same odds with the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers – two teams that didn't even qualify for the postseason. Other long shots are the Kansas City Chiefs (100/1), Detroit Lions (100/1), St. Louis Rams (75/1) and Oakland Raiders (75/1).

To see a complete list of all the team's odds to win Super Bowl XLIV, check below.

NFL TEAM FUTURE ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL XLIV

New England Patriots 8/1

Dallas Cowboys 9/1

New York Giants 10/1

Pittsburgh Steelers 10/1

Indianapolis Colts 12/1

San Diego Chargers 12/1

Baltimore Ravens 14/1

Tennessee Titans 16/1

Carolina Panthers 18/1

Philadelphia Eagles 18/1

New Orleans Saints 20/1

Atlanta Falcons 25/1

Denver Broncos 25/1

Green Bay Packers 25/1

Jacksonville Jaguars 25/1

Minnesota Vikings 25/1

New York Jets 25/1

Arizona Cardinals 30/1

Chicago BearS 30/1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30/1

Buffalo Bills 35/1

Houston TexaNS 35/1

Miami Dolphins 35/1

Washington Redskins 35/1

Seattle SeahawkS 50/1

Cleveland Browns 55/1

Cincinnati Bengals 60/1

San Francisco 49ers 60/1

Oakland Raiders 75/1

St. Louis Rams 75/1

Detroit Lions 100/1

Kansas City Chiefs 100/1

Odds as of: 2/2/09

Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds

To visit this online sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.

American Idol Betting Odds: Season 6  

The online gambling websites are in the process of deciphering each American Idol contestant and his or her chances of winning Season 6 to come up with the early American Idol betting lines.

Tim Dalton of MySportsbook.com has been locked away in a soundproof room coming up with all the latest tallies, we are told. "American Idol has become one of the most significant betting events of the year," claims Jack Black of MySportsbook.com.  "Last year, millions were bet during the season across the globe, not just in America.

It's tough early on since we really do not have a glimpse as to how well each of these individuals will perform solo on a week-to-week basis.  It's like Week 1 of the NFL.  Pre-season means nada!

We do know the 24 finalists however.

Sanjaya Malakar is the young man whose sister failed to make it into the Top 24.  He's very low key but - unless he totally flubs - will probably win over the young girlie vote for a few weeks anyway.  He's too young to go all the way, according to Payton O'Brien. 

Brandon Rogers - Who?

Phil Stacy is the military guy who missed his daughter's birth because of the Memphis audition.  He should go a good distance.

Chris Sligh - He's got the humor and in many ways he's the Anti-American Idol much like last year's winner Taylor Hicks was.  And this is why he'll probably get pretty far in this competition.  He's chubby, white with a big curly afro....but more importantly, a great voice!  People love "real", not "real cute" to go all the way. 

"Blake Lewis should go far because of his uniqueness and looks.  He's the boy next store with a twist - he beat boxes.  But on top of this, he's a great singer, and I adore him," Payton O'Brien relayed.

A talented beat-boxer Blake Lewis was a hit during the group sing in Hollywood but Simon explained that this is a singing contest just before he told him he was “in.”

Paul Kim has caught our own roving reporter, Jenny Woo's eyes. 

"I love the fact that there is a Korean American on the show and he is bound to get more Asians tuning into the show," Woo said from her Miami Beach estate.  "There has never been a major presence of Asian-Americans on American Idol in the past.  He's a hottie with a nice voice so that should help to take him far.  Expect heavy betting action from the Asian community."

Sundance Head - He's not perfect, but he's got the personality that will take him through a few weeks, plus he's got the lineage (son of Roy Head - whose 1965 single, "Treat Her Right," hit No. 5 in the charts) 

And the others:

Rudy Cardinas
AJ Tabaldo - the 5th time is the charm
Nicolas Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter

The girls

"Melinda Doolittle has one of the best voices," says MySportsbook.com Reporter and an acclaimed dancer in her own right, Destiney Lewis.  "It is great to see a back up singer step out like she has.  The girl needs to gain more confidence but that can also be a positive.  I think she will go far."

Alena Alexander - Those tears (she never seems to stop bawling) should get her far.

"Single mom Lakisha Jones I suspect will be a pretty big favorite entering Week 1 of the competition," says Destiny Williams.  Jones is an excellent singer and down to earth.  "She'll have a wide appeal," echoed O'Brien.

Nicole Trellis - Seems to exert confidence.

Amy Krebs - a powerful singer.

Antonella Barba
Gina Glocksen
Hailey Scanardo
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Sabrina Sloan

MySportsbook.com is offering a 20% signup bonus with an initial deposit (i.e. open your American Idol betting account with $300, receive another $60 in which to bet with). 

Last two contestants will be?

1 Male/1 Female +100 (a $10 bet pays $10 plus your initial $10)

2 Males +170 (a $10 bet pays $17 plus your initial $17)

2 Females +130 (a $10 bet pays $13 plus your initial $10)

MySportsbook.com is an online sportsbook accepts Visa Credit Cards and online sportsbook accepts Mastercard Credit Cards for easy American Idol betting lines.