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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MySportsbook.com: NFL draft - The NFC South


In part two of MySportsbook.com’s draft preview, we’ll take a look at a division that was extremely disappointing last season: the NFC South.  Many “experts” predicted the Panthers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, of course they could not even make the playoffs in an extremely weak NFC.  The Saints definitely made up for the disappointing seasons of their NFC South brethren by exploding out of no where en route to the NFC Championship game.  For the avid NFL gambler, it is imperative to pay attention to the NFL draft.  Although free agency gets a ton of publicity, the successful franchises build their teams around the draft.

1. New Orleans Saints
Who would have thought this time last year that the Saints would be the favorites to win the NFC South for the 2007 campaign?  New Orleans is loaded with firepower on the offensive side of the ball but with the exodus of Joe Horn they will most likely look to draft a WR on Day 1.  Despite having the NFL’s 3rd ranked pass defense last season, the Saints will most likely upgrade their CB’s with one of their first two picks. Other possibilities for the Saints will be TE and DT.  Because of where they will be selecting (27th), the Saints could go the “best available player” route which could net a LB.

Key additions: Eric Johnson TE, Troy Evans LB, David Patten WR
Key loses: Joe Horn WR,
Team needs: CB, WR, TE, LB, DT
Possible draftees: Aaron Ross CB Texas, Darrelle Revis CB Pitt, Ted Ginn Jr. WR OSU, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Chris Houston CB Arkansas, Greg Olsen TE Miami

2. Carolina Panthers
Carolina was one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL last season.  With the signing of David Carr, expect the very first quarterback controversy to come out of Carolina if Jake Delhomme doesn’t rebound quickly from an average 2007 season. With veteran safety Mike Minter getting up there in age, they will look to draft a safety on Day 1 but probably not in the first round.  LB is another need with the loss of Chris Draft to go along with Dan Morgan’s concussion problems.  If TE Greg Olsen is still on the board, he might be too good to pass up despite their needs on the defensive side of the ball.

Key additions: David Carr QB
Key loses: Chris Draft LB
Team needs: LB, TE, S, OT
Possible draftees: Greg Olsen TE Miami, Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Levi Brown OT PSU

3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were another NFC South team to have a disappointing 2007 season.  The Falcons have been plenty busy during the off season with plenty of players coming and going including a new head coach.  The Falcons were able to improve their draft position with the trade of coveted backup QB Matt Schaub.  High on the list of Day 1 needs will be a defensive end to replace Patrick Kerney and a hard hitting safety since Lawyer Milloy is nearing the end of his career.  With an additional 2nd round pick, the Falcons could attempt to trade up to acquire local product WR Calvin Johnson. 

Key additions: Joey Harrington QB, Toniu Fonoti OG, Joe Horn WR
Key loses: Justin Griffen RB, Patrick Kerney DE, Matt Lehr OG, Ashley Lelie WR, Matt Schaub QB
Team needs: DE, S, OT, WR, DT
Possible draftees: LaRon Landry S LSU, Amobi Okoye DT Louisville, Levi Brown OT PSU, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas, Alan Branch DT Michigan

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age really caught up to the Bucs last season.  The Bucs still have plenty of household names on defense in Ronde Barber, Simeon Rice and Derrick Brooks but the one thing those three have in common is unfortunately age.  It is imperative for the Bucs to get much younger, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite having bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball, WR Calvin Johnson is the most likely pick if he is still available when the Bucs pick at the four spot.  This would suit Bucs’ faithful just fine as Johnson is widely considered the top talent in the draft and it is a position of need for the Bucs.

Key additions: Jeff Garcia QB, Kevin Carter DE, Torrie Cox CB, Cato June LB
Key loses: Dewayne White DE, Sean Mahan OG
Team needs: WR, LB, DE, CB (Youth on defense!)
Possible draftees: Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech, Gains Adams DE Clemson, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas

It is never too early to start betting on the NFL. Log on to MySportsbook.com to checkout all of the NFL futures for the upcoming season.  On the clock: the NFC North

Odds to win the NFC South:
New Orleans Saints 8-5
Carolina Panthers 2-1
Atlanta Falcons 12-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-2    

Odds to win the NFC:
New Orleans Saints 13-2
Carolina Panthers 7-1
Atlanta Falcons 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-1

Odds to win the Super Bowl:
New Orleans Saints 18-1
Carolina Panthers 20-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75-1

To visit this sportsbook get to MySportsbook.com for all your online sportsbook needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.

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