Lightning winning the big ones

Hockey Betting Lines

02/24/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Tampa Bay Lightning have battled inconsistency this season, but they have done well enough to gain first place in the Southeast Division.

The Lightning come into Saturday with 72 points and a one-point edge over Atlanta for the Southeast lead. The Carolina Hurricanes are also lurking with 69 points on the year.

Tampa Bay earned a big victory in the race for the division crown Thursday night, as they downed the Thrashers, 3-2, in Atlanta. Martin St. Louis scored the game-winner with 1:16 left in overtime to give the Lightning the victory and first place in the Southeast Division.

"It was nice to get a point on them and we still have a game in hand," said St. Louis. "It was a fun game to play and I'm sure it was a fun game to watch."

St. Louis also had two assists while Richards added a goal and two assists for the Lightning, who have won five of their last six games. Marc Denis made 24 saves in the win.

"It is an important time to win a game like this," said Tampa Bay coach John Tortorella.

Tampa Bay has the best intra-division record in the Southeast, going 15-7-1 against its rivals. The Lightning have especially been a thorn in the side of the Thrashers, who were first in the division for most of the year before Tampa Bay caught fire in recent months. For the year, Tampa has won five of the seven meetings with the Thrashers.

On the downside, the Lightning began a three-game homestand Friday night by losing a 6-2 decision to Boston. They will continue the residency Sunday against the Penguins.

Jazzspirts Hockey Betting News


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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.

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"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.