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Lowly Blue Jackets visit DucksHockey Betting Lines02/03/2012 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Columbus Blue Jackets' disappointing season may have hit a new low point on Wednesday. They hope the return of sniper Jeff Carter can help turn things around this evening in the finale of a six-game road trip against the Anaheim Ducks. Having already lost the four tests of their swing, the Blue Jackets appeared headed for overtime on Wednesday versus the Kings, until a clock delay helped Los Angeles score the game-winner in the final second of regulation. While bombarding Columbus netminder Curtis Sanford, the Kings' Drew Doughty pounced on a rebound and sent it past Sanford for a power-play goal with four-tenths of a second left. However, replays showed that the clock had stalled at 1.8 seconds for what appears to be at least a second. The play was reviewed and was allowed to stand, but after the game there were questions from the Blue Jackets about the clock delay. In the end, it was just another setback for the Blue Jackets, who sit last in the NHL with 32 points. They have lost seven in a row on the road as well as six straight and 17 of their past 21 overall. "This is hugely disappointing, we thought we were going into overtime with at least one point," Sanford said after making 30 saves. "They controlled the puck at the end, got it on the guy's stick and he made the shot. This one is tough, it's happening too many times this season." Derek Dorsett and Colton Gillies scored for Columbus, which will have Carter back in the lineup for the first time since he suffered a separated right shoulder versus the Ducks on Jan. 8. Carter missed the past 10 games and has 10 goals and 17 points in 30 contests this year, having also missed time with a fractured right foot and lower-body ailment. The Ducks rolled to a 7-4 win at home in that meeting, getting a hat trick from Corey Perry as well as two goals from Teemu Selanne. It was Anaheim's third victory in its past four versus Columbus and second in a row at home in this series. The Ducks have lost two of three since a five-game win streak as they try to get back into the playoff race. They sit tied for 13th in the Western Conference with 45 points, 12 back of a playoff spot. Anaheim opened a four-game homestand on Wednesday, losing a 6-2 decision to Dallas. The defeat halted the Ducks' six-game winning streak as the host. Luca Sbisa and Matt Beleskey each scored for the Ducks, while Jonas Hiller was tagged for all six goals on 26 shots. "We knew how big this game was and we knew how big this game was going to be," said Sbisa. "Dallas is one of the teams we have to catch. They were ready tonight and we weren't." Jason Blake is questionable with a foot injury that has held him out of the past two games for the Ducks.
<< Sixers try to solve Heat in Philly
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia 76ers may not possess the star power that Miami Heat bring to the court, but they have been every bit as good as their much-hyped counterparts in the early going this season. Tonight, the Sixers eye a fift
<< Rested Blues aim to snap Kings' win streak
<< Thunder, Grizzlies collide in OKC
<< Panthers hope to string together win streak vs. Jets
<< Sliding Blackhawks make a stop in Calgary
Sharapova will lead-off for Russia against Spain >>
Moscow, Russia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 2012 Fed Cup quarterfinal between host Russia and Spain will commence Saturday with a singles match between Australian Open runner-up Maria Sharapova and Spaniard Silvia Soler-Espinosa. "I'm
Sato signs with Rahal Letterman Lanigan for 2012 season >>
Robert B. Lewis Stakes features Hall of Fame trainers >>
Pens extend Vitale's contract >>
Terry stripped of England captaincy >>
Numerous College Basketball teams take final big step to March Madness betting So, what turned on the lock spigot? Well, after what felt like weeks of teams treading water and slipping back into the bubble muck, a bunch of them finally decided to say "to heck with parity" and won games that should put them into the Big Dance. Disagree with some of these? Then here's the challenge. Take all of the "should be ins" and make a legit case that each should be ahead of the team that's a lock. Then find 10 more teams that also should be placed in the bracket ahead of that lock team. Not so easy, is it? If you want more evidence that these locks should be good to go, check out what our research department dug up. Since the NCAA Tournament went to 64 teams in 1985, only six teams from a "big six" conference have had a record of 10-6 or better in conference play and not been selected: Colorado (2004) and Nebraska (1999) from the Big 12, Boston College and Seton Hall (both 2003) from the Big East, Indiana (2005) from the Big Ten and UCLA, which somehow went 12-6 in the Pac-10 in 1988 and still missed out. (Note: Five teams went 11-7 and didn't get in, the latest being last season's Stanford team, which had a brutal nonconference run.) Yes, 10 conference wins doesn't always mean what it used to because of unbalanced schedules, but this season, it should be plenty good in all but the extreme cases (see: Iowa). In a way, this is a welcome development, because this is a bubble watch, not a lock watch. We can finally be done with teams like Maryland and Virginia Tech and start really bearing down on at-large battles such as Syracuse-West Virginia and Appalachian State-Georgia Tech. Interestingly, all the shifting of teams into lock status appears to be more administrative than impactful. The number of remaining available at-larges didn't change one iota. The only difference is that teams on the bubble now have a clearer idea of which team(s) they are competing with for those precious bids.
As always, I've tried to be as inclusive as possible while only including teams that would have a reasonable chance of at least being discussed if this were Selection Sunday. If your team's not on here, there's probably a good reason (or three) -- start with the RPI and SOS numbers and work your way down. (Please remember, per selection committee criteria, that records displayed are Division I only. Next update: Feb. 28) If you have a legitimate grievance, or just like talking bubble, send an e-mail. Polite ones with fact-based arguments have a much better chance of receiving a response. I apologize in advance if I can't get back to all of you. Atlantic Coast Conference Work left to do: Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech
Work left to do: Clemson [19-9 (5-9), RPI: 41, SOS: 42] The Tigers are closer to locking up the collapse of the year award (in a good battle with OK State) than they are to grabbing an at-large. Clemson's been very competitive, but there's no really positive way you can spin nine losses in 11 games. They now cannot get to .500 in ACC play and still must head to Virginia Tech in the season finale (after hosting Miami). Unless the Tigers win both and/or do some serious work in the ACC tourney, they very well could be left out. There are no great nonconference wins, but ODU, App State, Miss. State, South Carolina and Georgia are all respectable W's. Florida State [18-11 (6-9), RPI: 48, SOS: 14] The Noles got thrashed at Maryland to run their losing streak to five, but then pounded NC State at home to set the table for what likely is an elimination game at Miami. You can at least make a case for the Seminoles at 7-9 in ACC play (and some work in the ACC tourney), but 6-10 is not going to cut it. Wins at Duke and over Florida will resonate, but the computer numbers remain questionable. Beyond Florida, FSU thrashed bubble buddy Providence, but there's not a ton beyond those two games that will help. They didn't show well in big-time opportunities against Pitt and Wisconsin (before the Florida win). Georgia Tech [18-10 (6-8), RPI: 51, SOS: 46] The Jackets beat Wake on Wednesday but couldn't get it done at UVa on Saturday, which could be a crucial loss with UNC and BC (both at home) remaining and 8-8 almost a certain need for at-large consideration. A nonconference win over Memphis helps, but the RPI and SOS are not at-large quality right now; if you combine those with a sub-.500 ACC mark, that could spell NIT for GT. For more College Basketball betting lines go to MySportsbook.com Additional basketball lines can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
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