Lightning hope to strike Penguins in Steel City

Hockey Betting Lines

12/23/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Tampa Bay Lightning will try to avoid their fourth consecutive loss when they visit the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight at Mellon Arena.

The Lightning are tied with the New York Islanders for last in the Eastern Conference with 23 points apiece. In addition to losing its last three games, Tampa Bay has dropped 12 of its last 13 games.

Tampa is also just 2-9-5 since Rick Tocchet took over as head coach on an interim basis for the fired Barry Melrose.

The Bolts were handed a close loss their last time out, as the Atlanta Thrashers earned a 4-3 home triumph over Tampa this past Saturday. Kari Lehtonen made his first appearance in almost two months and stopped 36 shots to help the Thrashers pick up the win at Philips Arena.

Martin St. Louis scored twice and Adam Hall had a goal for the Lightning, while Mike Smith was charged with all four goals on 30 shots.

Tampa has a dismal 4-10-3 mark as the visiting team this year and has lost 10 of its last 11 on the road. The Lightning are playing the middle portion of a three-game road trip tonight and will complete the swing Friday in the opener of a home-and-home series with the rival Florida Panthers.

The Penguins, meanwhile, are coming off Monday's dramatic win in Buffalo. Sidney Crosby's deflection goal 43 seconds into overtime sent Pittsburgh past the Sabres, 4-3, at HSBC Arena.

Early in the extra session, Alex Goligoski gained control of the puck in the left circle and slipped a bouncing pass to the right circle for Evgeni Malkin. His fluttering one-timer knuckled toward the crease, where Crosby tipped it home with his stick just below the crossbar.

For the Penguins captain, it was his first score in 10 games, dating back to a hat trick on November 29 against the New Jersey Devils.

Goligoski picked up two goals and an assist for the Penguins, who rallied from two goals down to win for the third time in five games. Pascal Dupuis also tallied and Malkin added three helpers.

Marc-Andre Fleury made 32 saves to earn his 10th win of the season.

Malkin extended his point streak to nine games and has five goals and 14 assists during that run. The Russian also leads the NHL with 58 points this year on 15 goals and 43 assists. Crosby is second in the league with 47 points (14 goals, 33 assists).

The Penguins are 8-5-2 as the host this year, but have lost two of their last three at the Igloo.

Tonight's test marks the first of four meetings between Pittsburgh and the Lightning this season. The Pens took three out of four encounters last season, but Tampa has still won 13 of the last 16 matchups in this series.

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Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value

If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture.  Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).

For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot.  The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.

TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the  drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.

"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,'  it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."

"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.

Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash.  Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win. 

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa needs.

American Idol Betting Odds: Season 6  

The online gambling websites are in the process of deciphering each American Idol contestant and his or her chances of winning Season 6 to come up with the early American Idol betting lines.

Tim Dalton of MySportsbook.com has been locked away in a soundproof room coming up with all the latest tallies, we are told. "American Idol has become one of the most significant betting events of the year," claims Jack Black of MySportsbook.com.  "Last year, millions were bet during the season across the globe, not just in America.

It's tough early on since we really do not have a glimpse as to how well each of these individuals will perform solo on a week-to-week basis.  It's like Week 1 of the NFL.  Pre-season means nada!

We do know the 24 finalists however.

Sanjaya Malakar is the young man whose sister failed to make it into the Top 24.  He's very low key but - unless he totally flubs - will probably win over the young girlie vote for a few weeks anyway.  He's too young to go all the way, according to Payton O'Brien. 

Brandon Rogers - Who?

Phil Stacy is the military guy who missed his daughter's birth because of the Memphis audition.  He should go a good distance.

Chris Sligh - He's got the humor and in many ways he's the Anti-American Idol much like last year's winner Taylor Hicks was.  And this is why he'll probably get pretty far in this competition.  He's chubby, white with a big curly afro....but more importantly, a great voice!  People love "real", not "real cute" to go all the way. 

"Blake Lewis should go far because of his uniqueness and looks.  He's the boy next store with a twist - he beat boxes.  But on top of this, he's a great singer, and I adore him," Payton O'Brien relayed.

A talented beat-boxer Blake Lewis was a hit during the group sing in Hollywood but Simon explained that this is a singing contest just before he told him he was “in.”

Paul Kim has caught our own roving reporter, Jenny Woo's eyes. 

"I love the fact that there is a Korean American on the show and he is bound to get more Asians tuning into the show," Woo said from her Miami Beach estate.  "There has never been a major presence of Asian-Americans on American Idol in the past.  He's a hottie with a nice voice so that should help to take him far.  Expect heavy betting action from the Asian community."

Sundance Head - He's not perfect, but he's got the personality that will take him through a few weeks, plus he's got the lineage (son of Roy Head - whose 1965 single, "Treat Her Right," hit No. 5 in the charts) 

And the others:

Rudy Cardinas
AJ Tabaldo - the 5th time is the charm
Nicolas Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter

The girls

"Melinda Doolittle has one of the best voices," says MySportsbook.com Reporter and an acclaimed dancer in her own right, Destiney Lewis.  "It is great to see a back up singer step out like she has.  The girl needs to gain more confidence but that can also be a positive.  I think she will go far."

Alena Alexander - Those tears (she never seems to stop bawling) should get her far.

"Single mom Lakisha Jones I suspect will be a pretty big favorite entering Week 1 of the competition," says Destiny Williams.  Jones is an excellent singer and down to earth.  "She'll have a wide appeal," echoed O'Brien.

Nicole Trellis - Seems to exert confidence.

Amy Krebs - a powerful singer.

Antonella Barba
Gina Glocksen
Hailey Scanardo
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Sabrina Sloan

MySportsbook.com is offering a 20% signup bonus with an initial deposit (i.e. open your American Idol betting account with $300, receive another $60 in which to bet with). 

Last two contestants will be?

1 Male/1 Female +100 (a $10 bet pays $10 plus your initial $10)

2 Males +170 (a $10 bet pays $17 plus your initial $17)

2 Females +130 (a $10 bet pays $13 plus your initial $10)

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