Simmonds leads Flyers over Predators

Hockey Betting Lines

02/02/2012 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Wayne Simmonds scored twice and Ilya Bryzgalov made 26 saves as Philadelphia came away with a 4-1 decision over Nashville on Thursday.

Matt Read also tallied and Claude Giroux saw a lengthy goal drought ended for the Flyers, who shook off a shootout loss at home to Winnipeg on Tuesday.

Ryan Suter provided the sole offense for the Predators, whose five-game win streak came to a halt. Anders Lindback allowed three goals on 27 shots in defeat.

The Preds cut their deficit to 2-1 at 8:37 of the third period as a defensive breakdown allowed Craig Smith to break free along the right-wing side and pass across to Suter for a successful wrister.

But Simmonds gave the Flyers some insurance with 4:41 remaining, slamming home a Giroux rebound from atop the crease during a power play.

Jaromir Jagr then fed Giroux for his streak-busting score into the empty net with 1:05 to play. The 24-year-old, who entered play four points behind Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin for the NHL scoring lead, hadn't lit the lamp since the Winter Classic on January 2.

Nashville had a goal waved off just after the midway point of the first period on a power play when Smith was ruled to have deflected a Shea Weber shot home with a clear high stick.

Simmonds put the hosts on the board with 4:19 left in the period, ripping a turnaround shot home from the inner edge of the right circle.

The Flyers enjoyed a 5-on-3 edge midway through the middle period for a 1:34 span but failed to mount much pressure on the advantage.

Nonetheless, Read stripped Preds defenseman Kevin Klein at the Philly blue line minutes later, flew up the left wing and beat Lindback through the five- hole for 2-0 lead with 5:28 left.

Game Notes

Simmonds notched his third career multi-goal effort...Suter picked up his first goal since November 23...Prior to the contest, the Flyers activated forward Zac Rinaldo from injured reserve, and also dealt minor-league defenseman Kevin Marshall to the Washington Capitals in exchange for minor- league forward Matt Ford -- who was assigned to Adirondack of the AHL...Kimmo Timonen posted two assists for Philadelphia.

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Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

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