Canucks try for 10th straight home win vs. Stars

Hockey Betting Lines

03/17/2009 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Vancouver Canucks will be shooting for a franchise record for consecutive home victories when the scorching club welcomes the Dallas Stars to GM Place this evening.

Vancouver has ripped off nine straight wins on home ice following Sunday's 4-2 decision over Colorado, matching the team's longest such streak since a nine- game run from November 6-December 9, 1992. Ironically, the Canucks had lost nine in a row at home prior to this current tear.

The Canucks have done plenty of winning on the road as well in recent weeks. Since ending the month of January on an eight-game losing streak, Vancouver has produced an outstanding 13-3-1 overall mark and now stands just two points in back of Chicago for fourth place in the Western Conference.

Vancouver jumped out to a 3-0 lead against the Avalanche on first-period goals from Kyle Wellwood, Alex Burrows and Taylor Pyatt, while Alexander Edler put the finishing touches on the team's latest win with a late power-play score.

Ryan Kesler racked up three assists to help the Canucks snap a string of eight straight losses to Colorado.

The Stars also appear to have hit their stride after a poor lengthy stretch. After losing eight times in a 10-game span from February 21-March 10, Dallas won both tests of a brief two-game homestand heading into tonight's clash.

Dallas began the brief residency with a 3-2 triumph over Carolina on Thursday, then came through with a much-needed overtime win over Minnesota two nights later. Nicklas Grossman scored the game-winning goal midway through the extra period in a 3-2 victory that kept the Stars among the top eight teams in the West.

Steve Ott had both regulation goals for Dallas and Loui Eriksson assisted on all three of the Stars' tallies. Mike Ribeiro had a pair of helpers on the night and now has 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists) during a seven-game scoring streak.

Dallas is currently holding down the West's eighth and final playoff spot with 74 points, one better than ninth-place Edmonton, as it enters a crucial road trip against three of the conference's top teams. Following tonight's showdown, the Stars visit Northwest Division leader Calgary before taking on Pacific front-runner San Jose on Saturday.

The Stars have gotten the better of the Canucks as of late, with Dallas winning four of the last five matchups in the series and taking both previous encounters between the teams this season. That includes a 3-2 shootout decision in Vancouver on January 4.

Sortsillustrated Hockey Betting News

<< Surging Blues take on Oilers in battle of playoff contenders
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A recent surge has the St. Louis Blues right back in the playoff mix, while the Edmonton Oilers have been playing themselves out of the race as of late. The two postseason contenders face off in a key clash tonight at Rexall

<< Wild hope to get on track at home versus Avs
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Minnesota Wild hope a return home and a visit from one of the Western Conference's bottom feeders will enable them to break out of a horrendous recent slump. The club will try to get back on track in tonight's matchup wit

<< Flyers aim for first win in Detroit in over 20 years
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After getting an important road trip off to an undesired start, the Philadelphia Flyers will attempt to rebound in a place where they haven't tasted victory in more than 20 years. Philadelphia gets a chance to end its exte

<< NCAA Tournament begins with Eagles and Hornets in Dayton
Dayton, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 2009 NCAA Tournament gets under way this evening in Dayton, as the Morehead State Eagles and Alabama State Hornets meet in the opening round from UD Arena. The winner of this game will take on the top overall s

<< Bulls welcome Celtics to the Second City
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Celtics will try to continue their recent dominance over the Chicago Bulls when the two clubs square off Tuesday night at the United Center. Boston also hopes to secure its second consecutive Atlantic Division t

Sharks visit Coyotes in Phoenix >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With a playoff spot now wrapped up, the San Jose Sharks can now turn their attention to gaining the Western Conference's top seed. The Pacific Division leaders begin that late-season quest with tonight's road tilt against a P

Brodeur goes for milestone win in Devils-Blackhawks tilt >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Martin Brodeur got to tie Patrick Roy's all-time wins record in his hometown. Now, he will get a chance to set a new mark in front of the fans that have supported him for 16 seasons. Brodeur gets his first shot at career w

Rangers, Habs to battle for playoff position >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Montreal Canadiens fans had a reason to cheer the last time their team took the ice, but it didn't have anything to do with the home club's play. Montreal will try to avoid wrapping up a four-game homestand with three straigh

Sabres hoping to end struggles in Ottawa >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Buffalo Sabres will attempt to halt a five-game road losing streak in a city where they haven't had much luck as of late. Buffalo wraps its season series with the Ottawa Senators tonight at Scotiabank Place. Buffalo ha

Penguins visit Thrashers in clash of surging clubs >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The surging Pittsburgh Penguins aim for a series sweep of the Atlanta Thrashers, who are on the longest winning streak in franchise history, when the two clubs meet tonight at Mellon Arena. Pittsburgh has won four straight

Super Bowl XLIV Odds

Super Bowl XLIII isn't even a week old yet and oddsmakers have already released Super Bowl XLIV odds.

Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers winning Super Bowl 43, the New England Patriots are 8/1 favorites to win Super Bowl 44.

Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds

With their 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, the Steelers became the latest NFL champion. But believe it or not, oddsmakers from online sports book MySportsbook.com don't have the Steelers the favorites to win Super Bowl XLIV next season.

That honor belongs to the New England Patriots, who are 8/1 favorites to win despite not even qualify for the postseason in 2008. The Pats also have a major decision to make regarding what to do with Matt Cassel, who played well in Tom Brady's (knee surgery) absence last year but is also a free agent this offseason.

Ironically, the Steelers aren't even oddsmakers second choice to win Super Bowl 44, as the Dallas Cowboys are listed right behind the Patriots at 9/1 despite not making the playoffs themselves. Clearly oddsmakers think the public will hop back on the Cowboys' bandwagon considering the immense talent they have and the opening of a brand new stadium.

After Dallas, then comes Pittsburgh at 10/1, but they share those odds with the New York Giants, who won Super Bowl XLII. The Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers round out the top six teams at 12/1, while the Baltimore Ravens (14/1), Tennessee Titans (16/1), Carolina Panthers (18/1) and Philadelphia Eagles (18/1) complete the top 10.

The NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals got no love from oddsmakers as they were established as a 30/1 long shot to win next year's Super Bowl. They share those same odds with the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers – two teams that didn't even qualify for the postseason. Other long shots are the Kansas City Chiefs (100/1), Detroit Lions (100/1), St. Louis Rams (75/1) and Oakland Raiders (75/1).

To see a complete list of all the team's odds to win Super Bowl XLIV, check below.

NFL TEAM FUTURE ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL XLIV

New England Patriots 8/1

Dallas Cowboys 9/1

New York Giants 10/1

Pittsburgh Steelers 10/1

Indianapolis Colts 12/1

San Diego Chargers 12/1

Baltimore Ravens 14/1

Tennessee Titans 16/1

Carolina Panthers 18/1

Philadelphia Eagles 18/1

New Orleans Saints 20/1

Atlanta Falcons 25/1

Denver Broncos 25/1

Green Bay Packers 25/1

Jacksonville Jaguars 25/1

Minnesota Vikings 25/1

New York Jets 25/1

Arizona Cardinals 30/1

Chicago BearS 30/1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30/1

Buffalo Bills 35/1

Houston TexaNS 35/1

Miami Dolphins 35/1

Washington Redskins 35/1

Seattle SeahawkS 50/1

Cleveland Browns 55/1

Cincinnati Bengals 60/1

San Francisco 49ers 60/1

Oakland Raiders 75/1

St. Louis Rams 75/1

Detroit Lions 100/1

Kansas City Chiefs 100/1

Odds as of: 2/2/09

Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds

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