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02/02/2012 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With Martin St. Louis heating up to serve as a scoring compliment to Steven Stamkos, the Lightning seem poised to make a run at a playoff spot.
Tampa Bay continues that quest tonight and looks to reestablish its dominance over the visiting Winnipeg Jets, who look to get to .500 on their six-game road trip.
Stamkos is once again leading the league in goals scored, having notched 33 so far on the season. He has 13 tallies over his past 15 games, including three game-winners, and is a big reason that the Lightning are averaging nearly three goals per game.
Vincent Lecavalier is second on the Lightning with 19 goals, but it is St. Louis who has been red-hot as of late. He has scored in three straight games while logging four consecutive two-point games and 12 points over a seven-game point streak. St. Louis tallied in Tuesday's 4-3 victory over Washington and assisted on Stamkos' winner at the 2:45 mark of the extra frame.
St. Louis took a feed from Stamkos and stuffed the puck on net. Stamkos was there to put in the rebound, sending Tampa Bay to its season-high fifth straight win.
"Marty was there with a lot of speed and beat his guy to the net," said Stamkos. "He got it on net and I got a generous rebound and put it in."
Teddy Purcell and Nate Thompson added goals and Mathieu Garon made 26 saves for the Lightning, who have climbed to within nine points of a playoff spot. The Bolts are also nine points behind Florida for first place in the Southeast Division.
Tampa Bay is looking to win six straight for the first time since Jan. 18-Feb. 1 of last year and has won seven of its past 10 at home, where it plays the third of five straight this evening.
The Lightning had won 12 in a row over the Jets franchise before Winnipeg logged a 5-2 home win on Nov. 14, beating the Bolts for the first time since Oct. 3, 2009 when it was still known as the Atlanta Thrashers.
The Jets haven't won at Tampa Bay since March 21, 2009, losing their past seven trips there. That doesn't make Tampa an ideal place for Winnipeg to continue its six-game road trip, which began with setbacks at the Hurricanes and Rangers before Tuesday's 2-1 shootout triumph over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Bryan Little scored the only shootout goal in the session's third round, while Ondrej Pavelec made 27 saves before halting all three skaters faced in the deciding frame. Winnipeg had lost its last three overall and picked up just its fourth victory in 13 games, leaving the squad five points back of a postseason position.
"It is a huge two points for us," said Pavelec. "It's a really tough team to play against. They have some big guys in the lineup. These next couple games are going to be huge for us, especially on the road."
Chris Thorburn scored Winnipeg's regulation goal, his first since March 19 of last year.
"I haven't had that feeling in a while and I'll tell you what, there's not many feelings like that. I actually turned to the corner for my celebration and no one came to me. I kind of felt odd, but it was great," said Thorburn with a laugh.
The Jets still have road games versus the Panthers and Canadiens on tap for this swing and have won just three of their past nine on the road.
<< Devils take on Habs in Jersey
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Devils opened up their second half by picking up a big
two points over one of the top teams in the conference. The Canadiens,
meanwhile, failed to build off their win against the top team in the NHL right
before the All-S
<< Bulls resume long trek in MSG against Knicks
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Bulls have been struggling with consistency
lately and look to gain a measure of balance tonight in a showdown with the
New York Knicks from Madison Square Garden.
The Bulls, who are in the midst of a nine-game
<< Jazz and Warriors meet in the Bay Area
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Golden State hopes to wrap up a six-game homestand in
winning fashion tonight when it plays host to a Utah Jazz team aiming to
bounce back from a tough loss.
After losing the first two games of their current residency, the
<< Furman to visit Clemson, host five games in 2012
Greenville, SC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A visit to Clemson and a Homecoming game
against Georgia Southern highlight the 2012 Furman football schedule announced
on Thursday.
Furman will play at Clemson on Sept. 15. The Paladins are Clemson's oldest
Baffert holds the aces in Robert B. Lewis >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Not only does Bob Baffert have the favorite in this
Saturday's Robert B. Lewis at Santa Anita, but the silver-haired trainer also
has what could be the future Kentucky Derby champion entered in the Grade II
event.
Spurs entertain Hornets in Alamo City >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Antonio Spurs will resume a three-game homestand
tonight versus the New Orleans Hornets at the AT&T Center.
The Spurs have been nearly unstoppable at home and have opened 11-1 in the
Alamo City for the sixth ti
Tressel headed back to Akron in non-coaching role >>
Akron, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former Ohio State head football coach Jim Tressel
has been hired at the University of Akron in an administrative role.
Tressel, who received a graduate degree from Akron in 1977, will not work in
the athletic
Hokies battle Blue Devils in Blacksburg >>
Blacksburg, VA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The seventh-ranked Duke Blue Devils get back
to conference business, as they travel to Blacksburg to take on the Virginia
Tech Hokies in an ACC matchup at Cassell Coliseum.
The Blue Devils took a break from
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.
After all the trouble that’s ensued since Braylon Edwards allegedly punched one of LeBron James’ homeboys in the face at a club, the Cleveland Browns have sent away their last remaining player of worth to the New York Jets. This is a great move for Dirty Sanchez and all, but it’s even better for the Knicks. Now Donnie Walsh can say, “You get to haunt Braylon Edwards with your posse if you sign here!” next summer.
Putting that aside for a moment, the move is a clear indication that the new-look Jets are gunning for the Super Bowl this year. I don’t think that New York thought that Dirty Sanchez was going to be such a rock star. With a 75.2 passer rating that was killed against the Jets, Sanchez is doing an admirable job of managing games and putting the Jets in a position to win. The defense has been the major story in New York thus far, but the acquisition of Braylon Edwards makes this offense loaded with talent that can dent any defense…as long as Dirty Sanchez continues his meteoric rise.
Thus far, Edwards has been a non-factor in the NFL piling up just 139 receiving yards on 10 catches. He has yet to find the endzone, and with the Browns mired in the most unsexy quarterback controversy of all time (Anderson vs. Quinn...yawn), there going nowhere fast. Edwards is two seasons removed from a career year which saw him catch 80 passes for 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns when the Browns were the spread killing monsters of 2007. In 2008, injuries slowed the receiver down to just 873 yards and three touchdowns though he played in all 16 games.
So that being said, we really don’t know if Braylon Edwards is just a flash in the pan, or a legit threat. At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, he is a prototypical receiver. But he’s also shown a strange, and unwarranted, talent for dropping passes. Lining up opposite Jericho Cotchery, a speed demon with 23 catches, 356 yards and a single touchdown, may give Braylon the open looks he needs. A change of scenery may also rejuvenate the star receiver.
In return, the Browns will receive Chansi Stuckey, online football betting a special teams player you’ve never heard of and a pair of draft picks. That’s a tall order for a guy whose only real value right now is in his name, and it shows no promise to the Browns that they can rebuild around those acquisitions. Braylon was the only reason to hope for the Browns to go 3-14 SU this year. Without him, they don’t have a single guy on offense that can scare any team.
For the Jets, it’s a response to the pounding that they took at the hand of the Saints. Thomas Jones and Leon Washington have averaged around 4.0 yards per carry each on the ground, but striking a fair balance between the passing and rushing attacks in New York has been a struggle. You have to believe that the trio of Dustin Keller, Jericho Cotchery and Braylon Edwards will give Sanchez the weapons he needs to unleash through the air. Theoretically, that would open up holes for the rushing game. But the proposed public option health care plan works in theory too. We need to see the proof in the pudding before we start loading up mega bucks on the New York Jets to take the AFC.
The one wrinkle in this whole thing is that Braylon could very well be suspended by the league for disciplinary action due to his “brawl” with LeBron’s friend. If that’s the case, the Jets may have to bench him for a few games leaving them with a somewhat depleted receiving corps for a few games. Also, this is a guy who gets in fights with people at clubs. New York may not be the best place for him. Just sayin’.
The Jets have a long week before they meet the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football Betting in a virtual pick ‘em game. Braylon’s excess baggage may be a distraction, and his curiously low production may be what we should be expecting of him overall, but for the Jets, taking a chance to strike gold is well worth it. At the end of the year, they can simply just blame it on their rookie quarterback.
To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your college football betting needs.
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