Blackhawks limp into Honda Center to battle Ducks

Hockey Betting Lines

03/17/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chicago has had a hard enough time picking up victories in Anaheim without having injuries to worry about. Nonetheless, the Blackhawks could be without as many as four key skaters tonight when they visit the Honda Center to take on the Ducks, who could also have an injury-affected lineup.

Chicago's quest for the top seed in the Western Conference took a major hit on Sunday. Not only did the Blackhawks blow a three-goal lead in a 4-3 overtime setback to the Capitals over the weekend, but Chicago also lost the services of defenseman Brian Campbell in the first period.

Campbell was pushed violently into the boards by Washington's Alex Ovechkin, who received a major for boarding, a 10-game misconduct and ultimately a two- game suspension for a hit in the NHL called "reckless" in its release announcing Ovechkin's punishment.

The 30-year-old Campbell, meanwhile, suffered a clavicle fracture and rib fracture. The Blackhawks said on Tuesday that the blueliner likely won't need surgery but will miss seven-to-eight weeks of action. Defenseman Nick Boynton, acquired from the Ducks on March 2, was recalled from Rockford of the American Hockey League on Tuesday.

Chicago was also without star forward Marian Hossa and defenseman Kim Johnsson due to upper-body injuries on Sunday and both players are questionable for tonight.

Without Hossa, Jonathan Toews stepped up with two goals and John Madden also scored. Antti Niemi made 18 saves through the first two period, but allowed three goals on 11 shots in the third frame before getting beat by Washington's Nicklas Backstrom at 3:10 of overtime. Niemi made 26 saves in all as the 'Hawks lost their second straight game late. They yielded two goals in the final 2:04 of Saturday's setback to Philadelphia, including the game-winning tally with just 2.4 seconds left in regulation.

"We let [the Capitals] back in the game. We took penalties and did other little things that gave them a chance," said Toews, whose club has also lost three of its last four and is 18-11-3 on the road this season.

Niemi will get the start again tonight with Cristobal Huet battling the flu.

Chicago does own an 11-point edge over second-place Nashville in the Central Division and, with 94 points, is two points behind San Jose for the lead in the West. Washington leads the NHL with 103 points.

The Blackhawks wrap their season series with the Ducks having lost two of three to them this season. Chicago has also lost five of its last six at Honda Center -- including a 3-0 shutout on Nov. 27 -- and has only two wins and a pair of ties in its last 16 at Anaheim.

The Ducks, meanwhile, snapped a five-game overall slide and four-game home losing streak on Sunday with a 4-2 victory over the Sharks, Anaheim's first in six meetings with San Jose this year.

Teemu Selanne scored the 599th goal of his career and had an assist before leaving the game with a shoulder sprain. However, he practiced on Tuesday and could play tonight.

Selanne is just one goal shy of becoming the 18th player in NHL history to reach 600 goals, and the forward is also two tallies short of tying Hall-of- Famer Jari Kurri for the most goals scored by a Finnish skater.

Ryan Getzlaf also left Sunday's game after aggravating a left ankle injury. He underwent an MRI on Monday along with Selanne that showed no further damage to the existing injury and he also hopes to be on the ice tonight.

"It's definitely a strong possibility that I will be playing, especially with the situation we're in," Getzlaf told his team's Web site on Tuesday. "We're fighting for our lives right now. I'm going to do everything I can to be in the lineup [Wednesday]."

Corey Perry, Lubomir Visnovsky and Bobby Ryan also lit the lamp for the Ducks, who picked up their first win since the Olympic break and improved to 1-2-1 on a seven-game homestand. Anaheim is also 10 points back of a playoff spot with 14 games to play.

Jonas Hiller made 31 saves and made a then-season-high 42 saves in a 3-1 victory over the Blackhawks when the clubs last met on Jan. 10.

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MySportsbook.com Posts Heisman Trophy Odds

With 3,919 passing yards, 32 touchdowns and a mere seven interceptions last season, combined with a powerful South Bend Heisman legacy, odds makers at MySportsbook.com have given Notre Dame senior quarterback Brady Quinn the best Heisman Trophy odds at 5-2.

Quinn isn’t the only big man on campus this season.  Oklahoma junior running back and 2004 Heisman runner-up Adrian Peterson, listed at 7-2, rushed for a combined 3,033 yards in his first two years as a college player and will give Quinn a run for his money. 

This online sportsbook has also listed Troy Smith, Ohio State senior quarterback, as another strong favorite to win the 72nd Heisman Trophy.  A 7-1 bet, Smith threw for 2,282 yards last season and also led the Buckeyes to a convincing 34-20 victory over Quinn and the Fighting Irish in last season’s Fiesta Bowl.

Current betting odds Heisman trophy are:

Brady Quinn (QB, Notre Dame)
Adrian Peterson (RB, Oklahoma)
Troy Smith (QB, Ohio State)
Michael Bush (RB, Louisville)
Steve Slaton (RB, West Virginia)
Brian Brohm (QB, Louisville)
Chris Leak (QB, Florida)
Mike Hart (RB, Michigan)
Ted Ginn (WR, Ohio State)
Darius Walker (RB, Notre Dame)
Drew Tate (QB, Iowa)
Marshawn Lynch (RB, Cal)
Kenny Irons (RB, Auburn)
Chad Henne (QB, Michigan)
Kyle Wright (QB, Miami)
Drew Stanton (QB, Michigan State)
Kenneth Darby (RB, Alabama)
JaMarcus Russell (QB, LSU)
Drew Weatherford (QB, Florida State)
Blake Mitchell (QB, South Carolina)
Reggie Ball (QB, Georgia Tech)		 5-2
7-2
7-1
10-1
10-1
12-1
12-1
18-1
18-1
20-1
30-1
35-1
35-1
40-1
50-1
50-1
60-1
60-1
60-1
60-1
60-1

For complete NCAA Football odds visit MySportsbook.com.

Chiefs' Treen Green out for Sunday's game

How long Trent Green will remain sidelined is unknown. Coach Herm Edwards said Monday he will miss a second straight start Sunday when the Chiefs host the San Francisco 49ers.

A two-time Pro Bowler, Green was going into a feet-first hook slide when he was knocked unconscious by a thunderous, head-snapping hit from Cincinnati's Robert Geathers.

Oddsmakers at online sportsbook MySportsbook.com currently have the Chiefs listed as 7-point favorites versus the 49ers.

The 49ers got beat by Philadelphia 38-24 as a 6.5-point underdog last week. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (42.5).

Alex Smith completed 27-of-46 passes for 293 yards with a touchdown. Michael Robinson rushed for 29 yards and a pair of touchdowns on five carries.

The Chiefs lost 9-6 to Denver last week as an 11-point underdog. The combined score was well UNDER the posted over/under total (38).

Larry Johnson rushed for 126 yards on 27 carries. Damon Huard completed 17-of-23 passes for 133 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions.

To visit this online sports book got to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.