Sabres try to run win streak to four games versus Wild

Hockey Betting Lines

03/12/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Buffalo Sabres will aim for a fourth consecutive victory when they welcome the Minnesota Wild for an interconference clash at HSBC Arena.

The Sabres' three-game winning streak is the club's longest since a season- best six-game stretch from Dec. 27-Jan. 8. Buffalo needs all the wins it can get at this point as it fights to stay atop the Northeast Division. With 81 points, the Sabres are just two ahead of Ottawa for first place.

After winning back-to-back overtime decisions the Sabres recorded a regulation victory Wednesday against Dallas. Thomas Vanek scored the eventual game-winner midway through the second period, helping lift the Sabres to the 5-3 home win.

Rookie defenseman Tyler Myers had a goal and three assists for the Sabres, continuing to solidify his status as a Calder Trophy candidate. Myers is third amongst all rookie skaters with 36 points and is the top defenseman on that list.

Derek Roy and Mark Mancari each had a goal and an assist. Jason Pominville had the other score for the victors.

"I'm very excited to get in to help the team," Mancari said. "Obviously, I'm doing everything I can to stay here."

Ryan Miller made 17 saves to pick up his 33rd win of the year. Buffalo's No. 1 netminder is expected to sit tonight in favor of backup Patrick Lalime. Miller is instead expected to start Saturday in Detroit.

Buffalo has won three of its last four home games and is 21-8-6 as the host this year.

Meanwhile, the Wild have lost four straight games, going 0-2-2 over that stretch. Minnesota's playoff hopes are fading, as the Wild are currently tied for 12th in the Western Conference and nine points out the West's final postseason berth.

The Wild did not help their playoff chances at all on Thursday, getting pounded 5-1 in Detroit. Johan Franzen tallied a pair of goals as the Red Wings flattened Minnesota at Joe Louis Arena.

Andrew Ebbett notched the lone score for the Wild, who slid to their sixth loss in eight contests.

Josh Harding was tagged for all five goals on 30 shots in defeat.

"Tonight just wasn't my night," Harding said. "It was bouncing off me, and went off their guys and in the net. It just bounced over top of me and into the net. There's a couple that if I save, who knows what the outcome will be?"

Harding could start again tonight after regular goaltender Niklas Backstrom suffered a groin injury during Thursday's morning skate. Wade Dubielewicz has not been officially recalled as the backup but did make the trip to Buffalo in case Backstrom is unable to suit up tonight.

The Sabres won an OT decision in Minnesota in the only meeting between the clubs last year. Buffalo has won two of the last three encounters and has five wins in nine all-time matchups between the clubs. The Wild have won three straight in western New York.

The Wild have a poor 10-20-3 record as the visiting team this season.

Earthilnk Hockey Betting News

<< Desperate Grizzlies welcome Knicks to Memphis
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Memphis Grizzlies are still alive in the Western Conference playoff race, but time is running short. Tonight they'll begin a three-game homestand versus the New York Knicks at FedEx Forum with hopes of gaining ground in t

<< Thunder host hapless Nets
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The chances of the Oklahoma City Thunder posting their fifth straight home win look promising, as they will resume a three-game residency versus the miserable New Jersey Nets from the Ford Center. The Thunder made it four

<< Nuggets visit the Big Easy to take on Hornets
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - One slip at the controls and the Denver Nuggets will have some company atop the Northwest Division standings. They'll try to prevent that from happening tonight, when they resume a four-game road trip against the New Orleans

<< Capitals turn eye to East's top seed in meeting with Lightning
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Washington Capitals didn't have to break a sweat in clinching their third straight Southeast Division title on Wednesday. Tonight, they'll try to move closer to locking up the top seed in the Eastern Conference when th

<< Devils try to close the gap versus Atlantic Division-leading Pens
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A key battle for the Atlantic Division crown is on tap tonight in Newark as the Pittsburgh Penguins visit the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center. The Penguins lead the Atlantic with 85 points, while New Jersey -- the

Spurs, Wolves square off in Twin Cities >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Antonio Spurs will try to continue their mastery of the Minnesota Timberwolves when the two Western Conference inhabitants get together tonight at the Target Center. San Antonio has won 10 straight and 15 of the pa

Playoff-bound Cavs make a stop in south Philly >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A large lead atop the Central Division and playoff berth already sewed up has allowed the Cleveland Cavaliers to give LeBron James some rest for the stretch run. The reigning NBA MVP is expected to return from his two-gam

Rangers and Thrashers both try to end slides in Atlanta >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of four-game losing streaks have made a possible road to the postseason a bit harder for the Rangers and Thrashers. Only one team will be able to reverse its misfortunes tonight. Atlanta will try to sweep the season

Celtics try to stop skid in home tilt with Pacers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Celtics will be attempting to avoid a third straight loss when the Atlantic Division leaders host the road-challenged Indiana Pacers tonight at TD Garden. Boston followed up a two-point setback at red

Bobcats continue push towards postseason, host Clippers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Charlotte Bobcats aim to maintain their recent winning ways and further solidify their postseason hopes in tonight's clash with a Los Angeles Clippers team that'll be seeking to end a five-game slide when it pays a visit

Online Sportsbook Football Betting

Colts give the ‘D’ its due

The Indianapolis Colts know that winning the Super Bowl last season put a huge target on their backs, and they expect opponents to go all-out to knock them from the top of the mountain.

They’ll get their first test from the New Orleans Saints this Thursday night. The defending champs had nothing but good things to say about the New Orleans defense this past week, praising their opponents’ pass rush and run-stopping abilities.

"They play very aggressively," head coach Tony Dungy told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "They play a lot of man-to-man coverage, and they come after you. They have good pass rushers, and they're going to try to pressure us, I'm sure."

Both center Jeff Saturday and quarterback Peyton Manning gave New Orleans’ front four props, admitting keeping guys like Will Smithand Charles Grant contained would be a tall task for the offensive line.

New Orleans ranked second in total defense during the preseason at a sportsbook, allowing just under 233 yards per game. Last season, the defense finished 11th in the league after giving up 307.3 yards and 20.1 points per contest.

Not so sound on the ground

If Indianapolis' efficient offense has a weakness it has to be its running attack. The Colts one-two-punch of Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai is no longer, leaving the bulk of the carries to Addai, the second-year back out of LSU.

Former Saskatchewan Roughrider Kenton Keith was named Addai’s backup this week after beating out DeDe Dorsey for the second-string position. Indy has only three backs on the roster right now, including fullback Luke Lawton, and coach Dungy is aware of the thinness of his ground game. Sports Betting lines on the game can be found at BettingExpress.com

“We’ll continue to look. Luke Lawton’s done a good job for us too. So probably getting a third true tailback is something that we’d like to do,” Dungy told the Indiana Tribune-Star.

Last season, Addai rushed for over 1,000 yards in his rookie campaign and scored seven touchdowns on the ground.

Brees says bring it on

Opening the season on the road against the defending Super Bowl champions is not the way most teams would like to kick off their year – unless you’re the New Orleans Saints or their quarterback Drew Brees. This internet Sportsbooks had the Saints as the favorites.

Brees told the New Orleans Times-Picayune that he is excited to get the regular season started and the Colts are a great challenge for him and his teammates. The 28-year-old QB, entering his second season with the Saints, is expecting a wild environment in the RCA Dome this Thursday when the franchise celebrates its 2007-2007 championship.

Brees said he sees the opening game scheduling as an honor and a testament to how well New Orleans did last season. The Saints missed facing the Colts in the Super Bowl by one game, losing to the Chicago Bearsin the NFC Championship game.

"I mean, people think we can hang with these guys," Brees told reporters. "Even if they didn't, it wouldn't matter what they thought because as a team we're very confident. We know what we can do. We're not satisfied where we finished the season last year. And we've been looking forward to this opportunity for a long time."

SportsBooks ready for a shootout

Oddsmakers are preparing for some fireworks this Thursday when the NFL season kicks off. online Sportsbooks have Thursday’s total set at a whopping 52 points, accounting for two of the league’s most explosive offenses.

“This is like must-see TV,” Saints cornerback and former Colt Jason David told the Baton Rouge Advocate. “It’s two exciting offenses with great players. You’ve got a lot of star power on offense. At any given time a big play can happen. If I was a fan, I wouldn’t miss a snap.”

New Orleans, who ranked No.1 in total offense last season, can go blow-for-blow with the Colts’ attack. Head coach Sean Payton’s offensive schemes will get even better production out of Drew Brees, Reggie Bush and receiver Marques Colston now that they’ve each had a season of playing together under their belts.

The Saints and Colts were the top two passing teams in the NFL last year, but while Indianapolis managed to put up almost 27 points per game, New Orleans struggled to capitalize on their efforts. The Saints ranked fifth in points per game.

“Yards are great,” running backDeuce McAllister told reporters, “but to be able to score more touchdowns would be important for us.”

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts US credit cards

MySportsbook is considered one of the finest football betting sportsbooks according to several surveys performed by independent industry analysts considering such factors as payout accuracy and timeliness, overall quality of website, and bettor satisfaction.

MySportsbook is a large company with strong financial backing. Considered the best sportsbook for betting football online 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 wagering needs.