Red Wings gain three-point edge on Flames

Hockey Betting Lines

03/16/2010 - Calgary, AB (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tomas Holmstrom scored the game-winning goal late in the third period, as the Detroit Red Wings edged the Calgary Flames, 2-1, in a battle between two playoff-hopeful teams at Pengrowth Saddledome.

Pavel Datsyuk also scored for the Red Wings, who have won three in a row and now lead the Flames by three points for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Jimmy Howard made 22 saves.

Craig Conroy lit the lamp for the Flames, who have dropped two straight following a four-game winning streak. Miikka Kiprusoff turned aside 26-of-28 shots in defeat.

With the scored tied at 1-1 in the third, the Flames had a golden chance to score due to Brian Rafalski's high-sticking double minor at the 3:12 mark. Calgary failed to capitalize on the extended power play.

Holmstrom's goal with 1:19 remaining put the Red Wings ahead. Johan Franzen's slapper from the left point deflected off Holmstrom's stick and past Kiprusoff.

Calgary pulled Kiprusoff for an extra attacker, but Howard and Detroit's defense held strong to secure the victory.

"We need our power play to capitalize for us," Flames head coach Brent Sutter said. "I'm sure there are some guys disappointed but there are 13 games left which is a still lot of hockey to play. Full marks to Detroit, they played well here tonight. We've got to find ways to win tight games."

The Flames got on the board just 1:47 into the first period. The Red Wings turned the puck over while trying to clear their own zone. Nigel Dawes' shot from in close set up a rebound for Conroy, whose backhander found the back of the net.

A Steve Staios interference penalty put Detroit on the power play with 2:06 to play in the second. But just over 30 seconds into the man advantage, Flames forward Curtis Glencross was hooked from behind by Henrik Zetterberg on a breakaway. Glencross failed to capitalize on the ensuing penalty shot.

The Red Wings used the momentum from Howard's stop to score a power-play goal with just under a minute left. Datsyuk made his way into the top of the slot and fired a wrister into the upper left corner of the net to tie the game.

Game Notes

Calgary and Detroit split four games this season...The Red Wings went 1-for-1 on the power play, while the Flames went 0-for-4 on the man advantage...Detroit has won five of its past six games.

Freeearcade Hockey Betting News

<< Boozer, Jazz dominate reeling Wizards
Salt Lake City, UT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Carlos Boozer led the way with 23 points and nine rebounds, and the Jazz sent the reeling Wizards to their eighth consecutive defeat, 112-89, at EnergySolutions Arena. Deron Williams added 17 poin

<< Brooks sinks winning shot as Rockets stop Nuggets
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Aaron Brooks scored 31 points and drained the game-winning jumper with 2.9 seconds left to lift the Houston Rockets over the Denver Nuggets, 125-123 at the Toyota Center. Kevin Martin added 29 points and L

<< Rangers' Hamilton leaves game with hand injury
Surprise, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton exited Monday night's Cactus League game against the San Francisco Giants in the third inning after taking a pitch off his left hand. Giants pitcher Madison B

<< Nadal and Djokovic sneak into fourth round at Indian Wells
Indian Wells, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - World No. 2 Novak Djokovic barely survived his third-round match Monday at the $4.5 million BNP Paribas Open, an ATP World Tour Masters event, while world No. 3 Rafael Nadal cruised in two sets against Croati

<< Hot-shooting Celtics rout Pistons
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Paul Pierce was one of three Boston players to record 15 points and the Celtics surged to a big halftime lead before beating the short-handed Detroit Pistons, 119-93, at TD Garden. Ray Allen and Michael Fin

Quinn diplomatic about chance at earning No. 1 QB role >>
Englewood, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Brady Quinn officially became a member of the Denver Broncos on Monday after passing his physical and was immediately inundated with questions if he'll go into training camp trying to wrestle the startin

Thornton keys late spurt as Hornets beat Clippers >>
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Marcus Thornton hit a pair of three- pointers during a big New Orleans run in the fourth quarter, and David West led all scorers with 24 points, as the Hornets pulled away late to beat the Los Ang

Jankovic moves on; Azarenka, Clijsters exit at Indian Wells >>
Indian Wells, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Sixth-seeded Jelena Jankovic snuck into the fourth round, while third-seeded Victoria Azarenka and 14th-seeded Kim Clijsters were third-round losers Monday at the $4.5 million BNP Paribas Open tennis

Bryant and Lakers hang on against Warriors >>
Oakland, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kobe Bryant scored 29 points and the Los Angeles Lakers held on for a 124-121 win over Golden State, their ninth straight win over the Warriors. Pau Gasol added 26 points, while Andrew Bynum c

Booker ready for final NCAA chance >>
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) -Devin Booker recalls the frustration of teammate and older brother, Trevor, last weekend after their highly regarded Clemson team was upset in its opening game at the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament.Devin, a Clemson freshman

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.