Pens clinch playoff berth with win over Flyers

Hockey Betting Lines

03/27/2010 - Pittsburgh, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Marc-Andre Fleury made 26 saves and Sidney Crosby picked up three assists, as the Pittsburgh Penguins secured a playoff berth with a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers at Mellon Arena.

Ruslan Fedotenko registered a goal and a helper in the third period for the Penguins, who snapped a three-game winless streak.

Chris Kunitz, Pascal Dupuis and Matt Cooke also tallied for Pittsburgh, which moved two points ahead of New Jersey (91) for first place in the Atlantic Division. The Devils visit Montreal later Saturday.

Arron Asham had the lone goal for the Flyers, who have dropped five straight. Johan Backlund made 22 saves in his NHL debut for Philadelphia before exiting after the second period with a lower-body injury. The 28-year-old Swede has recently been battling a groin strain.

Brian Boucher allowed two goals on seven shots in the last 20 minutes.

Philadelphia and Boston currently hold the final two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference with 80 points apiece. The ninth-place Thrashers, who play in Carolina on Saturday, are four points behind both clubs.

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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.