Islanders try again for first win in December versus Preds

Hockey Betting Lines

12/20/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Islanders still haven't won a game in December, something they will try to fix tonight in a road test versus the Nashville Predators at the Sommet Center.

New York has gone 0-7-1 since defeating Ottawa to close out November. Following that victory, the Islanders lost six in a row in regulation before an overtime setback to Washington on Tuesday.

New York then visited Minnesota last night and dropped a 4-1 contest. Richard Park had the lone goal for the Islanders, who have been outscored 39-16 over their skid. Joey MacDonald stopped 35-of-39 shots faced.

The Isles will attempt to avoid losing nine straight games for the first time since 10 consecutive defeats from December 22, 1997-January 12, 1998.

Doug Weight had an assist to leave him two points shy of 1,000 for his career. Weight has a point in seven of his last eight games (2 goals, 5 assists) and has three goals and 17 assists in 40 career games versus the Predators.

Defenseman Andy Sutton leads New York with a plus-3 rating in addition to having two goals and eight assists this year, but left last night's loss with a broken foot.

The Islanders have also lost seven straight on the road, where they are 5-11-1 this season.

Not only will New York be aiming to halt its eight-game slide tonight, but the club hasn't defeated Nashville since a home win on October 15, 2002. The Islanders have lost four straight to the Predators since then, including three in a row in Nashville.

The Predators will try to take advantage of an Islanders' club that is allowing an NHL-high 3.69 goals per game, as Nashville is netting just 2.61 GPG and has lost four of its last five games. It has managed to score just one goal in each of its last three setbacks, including Thursday in a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Phoenix.

Vernon Fiddler had the lone tally and Dan Ellis turned in a solid performance for Nashville by making 25 saves. Rich Peverley and Shea Weber notched assists.

Weber is one of the few Predators skaters who have stepped it up this season. His 11 goals are the most of any NHL defenseman this year while his 26 points are tied with San Jose's Dan Boyle for the most in the league by a blueliner.

Jason Arnott leads the team with 13 goals but hasn't found the back of the net in seven straight games. J.P. Dumont, meanwhile, hasn't scored in any of his last four games, while Martin Erat has lit the lamp just once in his past 15 contests.

Nashville has won three of its last four as the host and is 8-4-1 overall at home.

Wwwchartshop Hockey Betting News

<< Thrashers take on Lightning in matchup of struggling clubs
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The bottom two teams in the Southeast Division will meet tonight in Atlanta, as the Thrashers host the Tampa Bay Lightning at Philips Arena. The Lightning are tied with the New York Islanders for last in the NHL with just

<< Penguins play host to Maple Leafs
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Pittsburgh Penguins will try to post consecutive victories for the first time in over a month when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight at Mellon Arena. The Penguins have won two of their last three games and rebo

<< Eriksson leads Dallas into Ottawa
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - In a season filled with losses and injuries, Loui Eriksson is providing the Stars with a little bit of excitement. The 23-year-old will try to light the lamp for a third straight game tonight in Dallas' road matchup with the

<< Canadiens try to get on a roll at home versus Sabres
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Canadiens always try to make the Bell Centre a tough place to play at for their opponents, but that hasn't been the case as of late. Montreal will try to build off its most recent home win when it hosts the Buffalo Sabres

<< Top-25 foes meet at FedExForum
Memphis, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A top-25 showdown takes place in Memphis this evening, as the 11th-ranked Syracuse Orange come calling on the 23rd-ranked Memphis Tigers. The Orange come into the game with a stellar 10-1 record, although their

Iowa State names Rhoads new head football coach >>
Ames, IA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Paul Rhoads was named the new head football coach at Iowa State on Saturday morning, an ironic twist in the Iowa State-Auburn coaching connection in the past week. A 6:00 p.m. (et) news conference is schedul

Wild shoot for another victory in test versus Blues >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Minnesota Wild recently ended a lengthy losing streak and the Blues would like to do the same tonight, when the two clubs get together at St. Louis' Scottrade Center. Minnesota had dropped a franchise-record six straig

Coyotes aim to extend home run in battle with Blue Jackets >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Unlike last year, the Coyotes are sending their fans home happy after games. Phoenix will try to record at least a point in a sixth straight game as the host tonight, when they welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets to Jobing.com

Canucks hope to cool off Blackhawks >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Excitement is starting to mount in Vancouver. The Canucks will play their first game tonight since the signing of Mats Sundin, as they host the Chicago Blackhawks at GM Place. After deciding not to sign with a team this pa

Sharks aim to get back on track against Rangers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Jose Sharks may have picked a bad time for just their second losing streak of the season. They will try to avoid dropping three in a row for the first time this season while also notching their first home win over the

Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends

We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS.  Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned.  For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go.  As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190).  Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”.   By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet.  For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction.  On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later.  Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick.  Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com

New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors

Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
 New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season. 
 
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls

Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times. 
 
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons

Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season. 
 
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers

In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS. 
 
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”.  With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit.  Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.

About MySportsbook.com MySportsbook.com  is the largest sportsbook and casino on the planet, where millions of adult Americans bet on sports, play poker and enjoy blackjack and other casino games online in a regulated and licensed jurisdiction. Named the "Best US Sports Book" by the industry's top magazine, eGaming Review, MySportsbook.com has been leading the online gaming industry since 1996. Dwarfing its nearest competitors in the US, MySportsbook.com has been the first to achieve every significant industry milestone, from record turnover to active users to number of bets--achieving a peak of fifteen bets per second. As the US online gaming leader, the firm and it's products have been featured on CBS 60 Minutes, CNN, ESPN, Wall Street Journal, Barrons, Financial Times, USA Today and in every major newspaper in the US.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your basketball sportsbook needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.

Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

Bet on NFL

Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

Bet on NFL

Mysportsbook.com online online sportsbook accepts Visa & Mastercard