Suddenly-slumping Senators to host rival Leafs

Hockey Betting Lines

03/06/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Ottawa Senators will try to get back in the win column tonight, when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs in a battle between Northeast Division foes at Scotiabank Place.

The Senators have 76 points and are one back of Buffalo for the Northeast Division lead. However, Ottawa has been dealt two straight 4-1 losses since the NHL has emerged from its Olympic break. The club had won 14 out of 16 heading into the hiatus.

Ottawa was dealt a loss by the visiting New York Rangers on Tuesday and then dropped Thursday's decision at Carolina. Manny Legace made 25 saves, helping the red-hot Hurricanes stretch their season-high win streak to seven games in the 4-1 victory.

Senators goaltender Pascal Leclaire gave up two goals on five shots in the first 6:23 of the game before being pulled. Brian Elliott made 14 saves the rest of the way for Ottawa.

"We needed a shake up, but we needed him to be better as well," said Ottawa head coach Cory Clouston of Leclaire.

The Senators have a superb 23-9-3 record as the host this year and had won seven straight on home ice prior to Tuesday's loss against the Rangers. Ottawa will begin a three-game road trip Tuesday in Edmonton.

Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs, who are last in the Eastern Conference, have lost four straight, including two in a row since returning from the Olympic break.

Toronto was able to record a point its last time out, dropping a 3-2 shootout decision Thursday night in Boston. Miroslav Satan opened the scoring in the first period and recorded the lone goal in the shootout for the Bruins.

Satan beat Maple Leafs goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere on a nifty deke to the backhand in the third round of the extra segment. Boston netminder Tim Thomas, meanwhile, turned away the trio of Phil Kessel, Jamie Lundmark and Tyler Bozak, who tied the game six minutes into the third period, during the shootout.

Viktor Stalberg had the other goal for Toronto, while Giguere stopped 29 shots.

"I couldn't ask for more from the guys. We had some great chances," said Leafs coach Ron Wilson. " I tip my hat to Tim Thomas, he made some huge saves for them,"

Toronto is just 2-8-3 in its last 13 games overall and has lost seven straight on the road. The Leafs have a dismal 8-18-7 record as the guest this season.

These teams have split four previous matchups this season, with the Senators posting a 3-2 win on November 17 in the lone meeting held in Ottawa. Toronto has lost two straight, three of four and six of its last nine in Canada's capital city.

Rivsls Hockey Betting News

<< Sharks aim to maintain home mastery of Jackets
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Jose Sharks have gotten off to a bit of a slow start since the Olympic break. A visit from the Columbus Blue Jackets could provide the spark they need. San Jose continues a five-game residency tonight seeking an 11

<< Kings vie to bounce back against Canadiens
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Coming off just their second regulation loss in 14 games, the Los Angeles Kings will try to post their first victory over the Montreal Canadiens in seven years tonight in a meeting at Staples Center. The Kings came out of

<< Blues hope to keep flying high in trip to Colorado
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The St. Louis Blues are in position to record their longest winning streak in over six years, but to reach that mark they'll have to find a way to halt their struggles versus the Colorado Avalanche this season. St. Louis g

<< Revamped Coyotes host Ducks in Pacific clash
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Phoenix Coyotes will try to record consecutive wins when they welcome the Anaheim Ducks for tonight's Pacific Division battle at Jobing.com Arena. The Coyotes were dealt their third straight loss when they emerged from

<< Thrashers' playoff push resumes in Tampa
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Atlanta Thrashers will shoot for a third straight victory when they visit the struggling Tampa Bay Lightning tonight at St. Pete Times Forum. The Thrashers have won two straight since the NHL came back from the Olympic

Hornaday Jr. claims Atlanta pole >>
Hampton, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ron Hornaday Jr. will start on the pole for Saturday's E-Z GO 200 Camping World Truck Series race after topping the qualifying charts at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Hornaday, the defending series champion, secured

Bob Bryan, Isner get U.S. on the board against host Serbs >>
Belgrade, Serbia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A doubles team of Bob Bryan and John Isner got the United States a much-needed point on Saturday, as the last-minute pairing bested a Serbian duo of Janko Tipsarevic and Nenad Zimonjic in their best-of

Croatia moves into Davis Cup quarters >>
Varazdin, Croatia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Croatia holds an insurmountable 3-0 lead over visiting Ecuador in their best-of-five first-round Davis Cup matchup and has advanced to the quarterfinals in July. The Croats officially eliminated Ecuador

France handles Germany to reach Davis Cup quarters >>
Toulon, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - France posted a doubles victory on Saturday to best Germany and reach July's Davis Cup quarterfinals. The French have an unassailable 3-0 lead in the best-of-five first-round matchup after

Chiefs re-sign WR Copper >>
Kansas City, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Kansas City Chiefs re-signed wide receiver Terrance Copper on Saturday. Copper, 27, started two of the 15 games he played last season, his first with the Chiefs. He finished with 68 yards on four

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. 

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa needs.