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11/03/2009 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Toronto Maple Leafs could see their biggest offseason addition on the ice for the first time this season tonight when they welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning for a battle at Air Canada Centre.
The Maple Leafs pulled off a trade with Boston for Phil Kessel in mid- September and knew he was expected to miss at least the first month of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery in May. However, the young forward had tests done on the shoulder Monday and the results are expected today. If he is cleared medically, Kessel will play for the first time since the Bruins were knocked out by Carolina in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
"If I play, I'm going to be pretty excited," Kessel said.
Kessel, who is just 22 years old, set career highs in goals (36) and points (60) for the Bruins last year. Toronto gave up a first-round pick in both 2010 and 2011 in addition to its second-round pick in 2010 to land Kessel's services.
Kessel's debut comes at a good time for the Leafs, who have been playing better lately despite the fact they still have just one win on the season. The Maple Leafs earned their first win of the year last Monday by downing Anaheim, 6-3, and then suffered three straight OT losses, concluding with Saturday's shootout setback in Montreal.
Mike Cammalleri notched the winning score in the shootout as Montreal blew a two-goal third-period lead but rebounded to top Toronto, 5-4, at Bell Centre. The loss to the Canadiens ended a five-game road trip for the Leafs, who went 1-1-3 on the trek.
Alexei Ponikarovsky tallied twice for the Maple Leafs. Tomas Kaberle recorded a goal and three assists while Lee Stempniak also scored in regulation. Vesa Toskala stopped 35 shots in the loss for Toronto, which suffered through its first one-win October since 1985.
Kaberle has notched a point in five straight games and has two goals and 11 assists during that tear. He leads all NHL defenseman this season with 17 points (2 goals, 15 assists).
The Leafs have a winless 0-4-1 record at home this year and last won at the ACC when they beat Ottawa to close out the 2008-09 regular season.
The Lightning, meanwhile, have dropped two straight, three of four and five of their last seven. They are still second in the Southeast Division, but are eight points behind first-place Washington.
Tampa was handed a blowout loss Monday evening in Philadelphia as Jeff Carter and Mike Richards both finished with two goals and an assist to lift the Flyers to a 6-2 win at the Wachovia Center.
Mike Smith got the start in net for the Lightning and allowed five goals on 18 shots through nearly 27 minutes of play. Former Flyer Antero Niittymaki made 12 saves the rest of the way.
Jeff Halpern and Steven Stamkos had the goals for Tampa Bay. Stamkos has scored a goal in six straight games for the Lightning and has eight tallies and three assists during an eight-game point streak. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 draft has 11 goals in 12 games this year after notching just two markers through his first 12 contests during his rookie campaign in 2008-09.
Tonight's test marks the second stop on a four-game road trip for the Bolts, who are winless away from Tampa this year, posting an 0-4-1 mark as the guest.
Tampa Bay took three of four from the Maple Leafs last season and has taken five of seven overall in the series. The Lightning have won their last two games in Toronto, but has still dropped 11 out of 14 on the road against the Leafs.
<< Canadiens play host to Thrashers
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Montreal Canadiens will aim for their sixth win in
eight games when they welcome the Atlanta Thrashers for this evening's clash
at Bell Centre.
The Canadiens had a mediocre 7-7-0 record in October, but they closed the
<< Suns try to beat the Heat in Miami
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of 3-0 teams get together in Miami this evening,
when the Heat host the Phoenix Suns at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Miami is off to its first 3-0 start since the 2004-05 squad kicked off the
campaign with four
<< Red Wings hope to get on track versus Bruins
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Red Wings will try to post back-to-back wins
for the first time in over three weeks when they welcome the Boston Bruins for
tonight's Original Six battle at Joe Louis Arena.
The Red Wings have won two of their
<< Temple's woes might be over
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Nineteen years have caused Temple Owls'
fans to suffer through one of the worst stretches in any FBS team's history.
But in 2009, Owls supporters finally have reason to exude confidence in their
team, as Temp
Pens try to extend road streak with rare win in Anaheim >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Penguins are one win away from getting into the record
books. However, to do so they will have to win in a city where they haven't
tasted victory in nearly 12 years.
Pittsburgh will try to match the league record for m
Bucks, Bulls set for Windy City showdown >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Milwaukee Bucks kick off a quick two-game Midwest road
swing Tuesday in the Windy City by facing the Chicago Bulls at United Center.
The Bucks are coming off a home-opening win on Saturday, when rookie star
Brand
Hawks take on Blazers at Rose Garden >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two of the NBA's most talented young teams hook up in the
Rose Garden Tuesday when the Atlanta Hawks visit the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Hawks opened a four-game road swing on a losing note in Los Angeles
Sunday
Mavericks welcome Jazz to town >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Dallas Mavericks shoot for their third consecutive win
Tuesday when they welcome the Utah Jazz to American Airlines Center.
The Mavs finished a two-day sweep at Staples Center in Los Angeles last
Saturday when
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."
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.
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Underdog bettors love the Super Bowl and, history suggests, the underdogs love them back. And the big dogs bite harder.
Even so, there is a warning in store for Super Bowl gamblers who must love dogs: The Arizona Cardinals Super Bowl betting lines might not be enough of a Cinderella to make it worth your while.
Although the Cardinals were widely panned as one of the worst division winners and least playoff-worthy teams in recent memory, their trip to Super Bowl XLIII Jan. 31 in Tampa against the Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl betting lines comes with a little more respect from the oddsmakers than you might imagine. They are a 7-point underdog at most sports books.
If you count yourself among those who covet the big dog in the big game, this isn’t exactly great news. You should have been hoping for more points. This is because the facts show that the bigger the dog, the better the bet in the Super Bowl.
Case in point: Over the past 13 seasons, double-figure underdogs in the Super Bowl are 4-0-1 ATS and have won the past three outright. In fact, the last double-digit chalk to do the deed for bettors was the 1995 San Francisco 49ers, who managed to beat the astounding 19-point spot afforded backers of the San Diego Chargers in the 49-26 romp in Super Bowl XXIX.
By contrast, 7-point favorites are 2-1-1 ATS in the same span, the last such contest resulting a cover grinded out by the Colts in their 29-17 win over the Bears two seasons ago in Super Bowl XLI.
In 2004, the Patriots failed to cover the number in their 32-29 triumph over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl props while the Rams and Titans gave everyone a refund in 2000 after the Rams posted a 23-16 win as a seven-point favorite.
So while Arizona’s run has included impressive upsets as a 10-point road underdog to the Carolina Panthers and Sunday’s 32-25 win in the NFC championship game to the 4-point favored Philadelphia Eagles, their long-shot story lacks a bit of the David vs. Goliath storyline of past Super Bowl underdogs.
While the seven-point spread represents a significant gap in the perception of strength between the two teams, it is far from monumental. For example, last season the Giants were the wild-card afterthought turned road-warrior buzzsaw, with stunning wins over the Buccaneers, Cowboys and Packers to earn their place in the Super Bowl.
There, they played spoiler to New England’s bid to become the first 19-0 team in NFL history and cemented their place in sports betting lore with a 17-14 win as a 12.5-point underdog.
In other words, the Cardinals appear to have their work cut out for them as a mid-range underdog. But in homage to the spread beaters who have come before them, here is a brief look back at recent colossal upsets in the Super Bowl:
SB XLII -- 2008 -- New York Giants 17, New England Patriots 14 (Giants +12.5) – Eli Manning’s 13-yard touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress in the final minute clinched the historic upset for the Giants, who used a masterful defensive plan to slow down Tom Brady and the previously undefeated New England Patriots.
XXXVI -- 2002 -- Patriots 20, Rams 17 (Patriots +14) – This was the coming out party for the aforementioned Brady, who went from obscure sixth-round draft pick to Super Bowl hero in one fell swoop. He led the game-winning drive in the final minute – eschewing analyst John Madden’s advice to take a knee and play for overtime – leading to Adam Vinatieri’s memorable 48-yard field goal that split the uprights as time expired.
XXXII 1998 Broncos 31, Packers 24 (Denver +12) – The first of John Elway’s two consecutive Super Bowl titles to put an end to his Hall of Fame career was an upset for the ages. The Broncos used the determination of Elway and a 157-yard, three-touchdown performance from Terrell Davis to turn back Brett Favre and the heavily favored Packers.
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