Blackhawks play host to Thrashers at United Center

Hockey Betting Lines

02/13/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Blackhawks have responded since their longest losing streak of the season as they shoot for a third consecutive victory tonight in a home matchup against the Atlanta Thrashers at United Center.

The Blackhawks have won back-to-back games following a season-worst three-game slide and own a 14-point edge over the Predators for first place in the Central Division. With 83 points, Chicago is also six back of San Jose and Washington for the most in the NHL.

The 'Hawks snapped their skid with a victory in St. Louis last Saturday before skating to a 4-3 shootout triumph over Dallas on Tuesday. Kris Versteeg had the lone goal of the shootout, beating Stars goaltender Marty Turco in the fifth round with a lower wrister right after Dallas' James Neal hit the post with his attempt.

"You have to wonder where [Turco's] stick is going to be. He's the best goaltender in the league with it," Versteeg said. "Anytime he's coming out of the shoe, you know he's going to poke-check or maybe even stack the pads. You don't really know what he's going to do at times because he'll throw you for a curve ball. It was just play to my strength."

Patrick Kane scored twice in regulation, giving him a team high 24 goals and 62 points, while Troy Brouwer also lit the lamp. Antti Niemi made 24 saves in the win.

Chicago has won six of its last nine at home and wraps its pre-Olympic schedule on Sunday at Columbus. The Blackhawks also made a move before Friday's roster freeze, shipping defenseman Cam Barker to Minnesota for veteran defenseman Kim Johnsson and prospect Nick Leddy.

Johnsson, 33, had six goals and eight assists in 50 games with the Wild this year, while Leddy, an 18-year-old, was the 16th overall pick by Minnesota in the 2009 draft.

The 23-year-old Barker has four goals and 10 assists in 51 games this year and was the third overall pick of the 2004 draft. He had 40 points in 68 games last year.

The Thrashers wrap a three-game road trip this evening and are 1-0-1 thus far on the swing. Atlanta is still just 4-12-4 as the guest since December 7, but recorded a 3-2 win versus the Wild last night for their first ever win in five trips to Minnesota.

Niclas Bergfors, one of three plays acquired from New Jersey for Ilya Kovalchuk last week, scored in his third straight game.

"So far it's been good," Bergfors said. "Coming in it's a new team for me and it can go good or go bad. So far it's been pretty good."

Evander Kane and Nik Antropov also scored for the Thrashers, who had dropped four of five heading into the game and are two points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Johan Hedberg was spectacular, turning aside 36-of-38 shots.

Though these two teams have split the last four meetings, the Blackhawks posted a 3-1 road win over the Thrashers last season and have won six of the nine all-time meetings.

Atlanta has lost two of the three games played in Chicago.

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Football Betting: Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards

Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.

Bet on NFL Football

Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.

Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.

Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.

Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.

All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.

A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.

For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.

2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award

Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1

Ron Brace (NE) 25/1

Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1

Darius Butler (NE) 40/1

Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1

Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1

Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1

Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1

Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1

Larry English (SD) 15/1

Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1

Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1

Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1

Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1

James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1

Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1

Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1

Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1

Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1

Roy Miller (TB) 20/1

Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1

Fili Moala (IND) 30/1

Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1

Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1

B J Raji (GB) 7/1

Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1

Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1

David Verkune (CLE) 20/1

Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1

Field (Any Other Player) 6/1

NFL football gambling

To visit this internet sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.

El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

Additional baseball lines and World Series odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.