Playoff-hopeful Flames, Red Wings square off in key battle

Hockey Betting Lines

03/15/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The last time the Flames took on the Red Wings, they walked away with two points and the eighth spot in the Western Conference.

Calgary will hope for similar results tonight at Pengrowth Saddledome versus Detroit, which will by aiming to hold onto the conference's final playoff position in the opener of a three-game tour of Western Canada.

The Flames visited the Red Wings last Tuesday and rallied for a 4-2 victory as Rene Bourque assisted on the tying goal early in the third period before netting the game-winner with 12:44 to play in the frame. An empty-net goal by Christopher Higgins sealed Calgary's win and moved the club a point up on Detroit in the standings.

However, after both teams picked up victories on Thursday, the Red Wings jumped back ahead of the Flames for the eighth spot with a 3-2 overtime victory on Saturday, giving them 78 points to Calgary's 77. The Flames then failed to alter the standings again on Sunday, dropping a 3-1 decision in Vancouver to remain a point back of the Red Wings.

Brian Rafalski, who had a pair of assists for the Red Wings last week versus the Flames, made sure Detroit walked away with two points on Saturday as he scored an overtime power-play goal 31 seconds into the frame. The defenseman one-timed a Nicklas Lidstrom feed through a screen from the left circle.

"Every point is crucial right here," Rafalski said. "Obviously, going into Calgary on Monday could decide the playoffs. We wanted to make sure we got the two [points] here."

Pavel Datsyuk and Patrick Eaves each had a goal for the Red Wings, who blew an early two-goal lead but have won five of seven since the Olympic break. Jimmy Howard made 24 stops for Detroit.

Knowing the Red Wings had moved past them in the standings, the Flames carried a four-game winning streak into Vancouver on Sunday. However, Calgary yielded three first-period goals and never recovered in the two-tally deficit.

Miikka Kiprusoff stopped 17-of-20 shots faced in the first period before being lifted and Vesa Toskala halted all eight shots fired his way in the second. Calgary did not allow a shot in the third frame, but only managed one goal by Robyn Regehr in the period.

"We spotted them three goals. It could have been more in the first period," Jarome Iginla said. "After that we played a lot better. We take our own blame, but you also have to give them credit."

Calgary won both meetings in Detroit this season but did drop a 3-1 decision at home to the Red Wings back on Oct. 31. Tonight marks the final regular- season meeting between the clubs.

Worldcupbetting Hockey Betting News

<< Blue Jackets host Oilers in meeting of disappointing clubs
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With both clubs headed towards disappointing finishes to the 2009-10 season, the Edmonton Oilers and Columbus Blue Jackets face each other for the final time this year tonight at Nationwide Arena. Columbus made the postsea

<< Devils hope to get on track versus Bruins
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Devils learned last time out that they can't take any opponent lightly. New Jersey will keep that in mind tonight when it shoots for a third straight win against Boston, while the Bruins try to avoid losing their grip on

<< Leafs-Oilers not what it used to be
Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - There was a time when the Edmonton Oilers playing the Toronto Maple Leafs on a Saturday night was a glittering affair. In the 1980s, Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier and Co. would come in to Maple Leaf Gardens a

<< Arenas: 'I deserve to be punished' for gun prank
WASHINGTON (AP) -Gilbert Arenas says he deserves to be punished for bringing guns to the locker room.The suspended Washington Wizards guard tells Esquire magazine he wasn't using ``longevity thinking'' when he took out four guns in what he says was

<< World Cup of Golf to become biennial event
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The World Cup of Golf will return in 2011 as a biennial event so it does not conflict with the sport's inclusion in the Olympics, the Asian Tour said Monday in a press release. The decision to hold the team event only

Streelman carries 3-shot lead into final round >>
Rio Grande, Puerto Rico (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kevin Streelman finished off an eight-under 64 in the third round Monday to carry a three-shot lead into the final round of the rain-delayed Puerto Rico Open. Streelman made five birdies in

Sixers, Knicks meet in Philly >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Third place in the Atlantic Division is on the line tonight in Philadelphia. Of course, third place doesn't mean all that much if you are entering the contest at 23-43 like the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers. Ne

Celtics and Pistons clash in Beantown >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Celtics hope to bounce back from a tough loss in Cleveland on Sunday when they welcome Eastern Conference also-ran Detroit to Beantown. In a possible playoff preview the C's came up short against the Cavs when

Jazz return home to face hapless Wizards >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Utah Jazz hope a return to Salt Lake City against a hapless Washington team will get them back on the winning track as the postseason approaches. The short-handed Jazz dropped the final two games of a four-game road tr

Fading Hornets resume road trip vs. Clippers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The fading New Orleans Hornets resume a five-game road trip at Staples Center tonight hoping for their 13th straight win over the Los Angeles Clippers. The Hornets dropped the opener of their trek in Phoenix last night whe

MySportsbook.com week 1 NFL lines


Now that the 2008 NFL schedule is finally out, it is only matter-of-course for lines on “Week 1” to follow.  Of course MySportsbook.com is the first to churn out odds for the NFL’s inaugural week for the upcoming season.   Expect a lot of fireworks the first Thursday night of the season as the defending champion Indianapolis Colts face off against the surprise of the 2008 season, the New Orleans Saints.  These teams were ranked #1 and #3 in the NFL respectively a season ago so a high scoring affair could be in order.  As of now, the Colts will be giving 6 points to the Saints; keep in mind the Saints were one of the better road teams last season going 6-3 SU and 7-2 ATS.  The first Monday night of the season will again provide a “double feature”. Coming off a disappointing season, the Cincinnati Bengals will look to get back to playoffs and improve their public image as they take on the AFC North favorite Baltimore Ravens.  The second game features a couple of teams that haven’t had too much success recently but each could make some noise if the NFC is as weak as it was last year as the San Francisco 49ers host the Arizona Cardinals. The most interesting game of the opening week will feature the NFC champion Bears as they hit the road to take on the NFL’s top team during last year’s regular season, the San Diego Chargers.

MySportsbook.com Week 1 odds:

Saints +6 @ Colts -6

Falcons @ Vikings (pick ‘em)

Panthers @ Rams (pick ‘em)

Broncos -3.5 @ Bills +3.5

Chiefs -1 @ Texans +1

Dolphins +3 @ Redskins -3

Patriots -5 @ Jets +5

Eagles -3.5 @ Packers +3.5

Steelers -4 @ Browns +4

Titans +6 @ Jaguars -6

Bears +6 @ Chargers -6

Lions +3 @ Raiders -3

Bucs +6.5 @ Seahawks -6.5

Giants +4 @ Cowboys -4

Ravens +3 @ Bengals -3

Cardinals +3 @ 49ers -3

 Super Bowl line (2008)

NFC +6.5 vs. AFC -6.5

MySportsbook is a large, publicly traded company with strong financial backing. You will find their customer service is second to none and their web site is extremely user friendly and easy-to-use. All major professional sports games are available. Once you signup with MySportsbook, you may never use another online sportsbook again.

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