Maple Leafs try to push win streak to four games versus Islanders

Hockey Betting Lines

03/14/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Toronto Maple Leafs will try to stretch their longest winning streak of the season to four games this evening when they visit the New York Islanders in a matchup of the two bottom teams in the Eastern Conference.

Toronto heads to New York's Nassau Coliseum after completing a perfect three- game homestand to give the club its first three-game win streak of the season. The Maple Leafs capped the residency with a 6-4 victory over the Oilers last night.

Phil Kessel scored a pair of power-play goals to go along with an assist, while Tyler Bozak added a goal and two helpers. Nikolai Kulemin scored and had an assist and both Mikhail Grabovski and Jamie Lundmark lit the lamp, while Jonas Gustavsson made 25 saves.

"We're just trying to keep it simple, play a basic hockey game," Leafs defenseman Tomas Kaberle said after his club went 3-for-8 on the man advantage. "Finally we used some power plays today and scored more goals."

One day after defeating the worst team in the Western Conference, the Maple Leafs visit the Islanders, who are 14th out of 15 teams in the East. Toronto, of course, is 15th and trails New York by five points in the standings.

Toronto has lost eight of its last nine on the road (1-5-3) and should turn to Jean-Sebastien Giguere in net tonight. The former Anaheim netminder has yet to face the Islanders this year and is 1-1-1 with a tie and 2.69 goals-against average versus them lifetime.

While the Islanders don't have a winning streak like the Maple Leafs, they do have a big victory under their belt. New York snapped a four-game skid last night with a 4-2 victory over the Devils, denying New Jersey a share of the Atlantic Division lead.

Freddy Meyer, Jon Sim and Mark Streit all scored for the Islanders and Dwayne Roloson stopped 38 shots for the win.

The Islanders put themselves in a hole midway through the third when defenseman Dylan Reese took a double-minor for high sticking with his club up by just a goal. However, Sean Bergenheim finished off a 2-on-1 break with Blake Comeau with a short-handed tally for a two-goal advantage.

"It was a big play," said Comeau. "They were down a goal and they were on a four-minute power play. Our penalty killing was great tonight."

It is unknown who will start in net tonight for the Islanders, who are 1-0-1 on a three-game homestand. Roloson entered the season just 1-6-0 versus the Maple Leafs, but has won two of three versus them this year while posting a 2.29 goals-against average. Martin Biron, meanwhile, is 11-11-3 with a pair of ties and 2.82 GAA versus them in his career.

Roloson's two victories over the Leafs this year includes a 58-save effort back on Nov. 23, a 4-3 overtime triumph, and after a loss at Toronto in early December, he turned aside 26 shots in a 3-1 home triumph on Dec. 23.

The Islanders have won five of their last seven at home over the Maple Leafs.

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Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value

If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture.  Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).

For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot.  The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.

TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the  drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.

"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,'  it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."

"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.

Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash.  Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win. 

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Pro Football Odds : NFC SOUTH BETTING ODDS

NFL Sports Betting

NFL betting action is back! At MySportsbook, all of the pro football odds are posted for the NFC North. Check out how we see the four teams in this cloudy division stacking up this year in the chase for the playoffs! Green Bay Packers (+125) - With QB Aaron Rodgers leading the offense and DC Dom Capers working his magic on defense, the Packers are a real force to be reckoned with.

Virtually nothing changed on this offense for Green Bay from last year to this year, save for the addition of rookie OT Brian Bulaga to the bunch. Expect more huge numbers from the Pack, and a relatively favorable schedule should get them over the hump and into the playoffs once again this season. My NFL Betting Predictions: 11-5, 1st place in NFC North Minnesota Vikings (+130) - There are still too many unknowns about the Vikes this year. There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not.

There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win.

Chicago Bears (+350) - The Bears are probably a bit of an overhyped team once again this year.No, we don't think it is plausible for QB Jay Cutler to have as bad of a season as he did last year, and we do think the additions of RB Chester Taylor and DE Julius Peppers are going to help immensely, but there's still something in the water in the Windy City that we aren't so sure about. Maybe Chicago finds its way to .500... but then again, maybe it doesn't. If Favre comes back, Cutler might be the worst quarterback in this division this year.

Detroit Lions (+1500) - The Lions are probably once again going to be the whipping boys for the rest of the teams in the NFC North, but they aren't just going to roll over and die once again. There is some real talent amassing on this team offensively, as the combination of QB Matt Stafford, RB Jahvid Best, WR Calvin Johnson, and TE Brandon Pettigrew should put a bunch of points on the board if the offensive line can even remotely hold up. The questions really lie on defense, where it feels like DT Ndamukong Suh is going to be trying to stop opposing teams all by himself. This year should show some marked improvement in the Motor City.

The Patriots will make NFL betting fans a lot of money this season, get in early and enjoy the cash.

NFL Betting

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