Sharks try to bounce back with home test vs. Flames

Hockey Betting Lines

11/13/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A record-setting effort wasn't enough for San Jose to continue its home dominance. Coming off their first loss at HP Pavilion this year, the Sharks host the Calgary Flames tonight.

San Jose won its first nine home games of the season for the first time in franchise history, and had a 14-game winning streak as the host dating back to last season.

However, that run came to an end on Tuesday in a 4-3 overtime loss to Nashville, a game in which San Jose fell in defeat despite unleashing a franchise-record 57 shots on goal.

Devin Setoguchi scored twice and finished with an amazing 10 shots on goal -- a club record -- for the Sharks, who have lost two straight for the first time this year but have still posted a point in 19 straight games at home (17-0-2). Rob Blake also scored in the losing effort.

Goaltender Brian Boucher started his third consecutive game in place of starter Evgeni Nabokov, who remains sidelined with a lower body injury suffered last Thursday against the St. Louis Blues. Boucher allowed a season- high four goals on 29 shots, including Ville Koistinen's game-winning tally 2:28 into overtime.

Nabokov remains day-to-day but is doubtful for tonight, while Jonathan Cheechoo is questionable after having missed the last three games due to an upper body injury. Meanwhile, defenseman Dan Boyle missed Tuesday's game to be with his wife, who gave birth to a baby girl that morning. He will return to the ice tonight, though.

The Flames will try to halt a three-game road losing streak tonight. Calgary, which is 3-5-0 as the visitor this year, was a winner on home ice last time out, knocking off Toronto, 4-3.

Dustin Boyd scored two goals, while Jarome Iginla added his 10th tally of the season and two assists. Dion Phaneuf, playing despite taking a high stick to the eye on Sunday versus Chicago, scored as well and had an assist.

Iginla played in the game despite battling flu-like symptoms, an ailment that kept Mike Cammalleri off the ice on Tuesday. Cammalleri is again questionable for tonight.

Miikka Kiprusoff made 29 saves in a victory that snapped a two-game losing streak while also giving the Flames a win for just the second time in six games.

After losing their series opener to the Sharks in Calgary last year, the Flames won the final three meetings between the clubs, taking both games at HP Pavilion.

This game is also a rematch of last year's Western Conference quarterfinals, a series won in seven games by the Sharks.

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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.

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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.