10/10/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - If the Nashville Predators are to make the postseason for a fifth straight season, they will likely have to do so without one of their top performers from a year ago.
Minus Alexander Radulov, Nashville begins its 2008-09 season with a road test against the St. Louis Blues at the Scottrade Center.
Despite a roster overhaul and uncertainty in ownership last year, Nashville skated to a 41-32-9 mark (91 points), good enough to claim the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoffs while marking the franchise's fourth straight postseason appearance. Though the club was ousted by the top-seeded and eventual Stanley Cup winning Detroit Red Wings, Nashville performed better than anyone could have thought.
So it came as a surprise when 26-goal scorer Radulov jumped ship to the Kontinental Hockey League of Russia despite having a year left on his NHL contract. The two leagues have agreed to a binding arbitration to determine where Radulov will play, but until then the 22-year-old forward has been suspended indefinitely by Nashville.
Unlike last offseason, when the Predators were forced to trade away or let go via free agency a handful of talented players, Nashville actually locked up some of its own this summer. The team handed out contract extensions to head coach Barry Trotz, winger Martin Erat (7 years, $31.5 million) and defenseman Ryan Suter (4 years, $14 million).
Erat, who matched a career-high with 57 points for the second straight season in 2007-08 and tallied a personal-best 23 goals a year ago, will join Jason Arnott (28 goals, 44 assists) on Nashville's top line. Meanwhile, left wing J.P. Dumont had one of the best offensive outputs of his career, as the 30- year-old posted a career-high 29 goals.
The Predators will also get forward Steve Sullivan back after he missed all of last season because of an ailing back.
Nashville's young blueline took a bit of a hit when Marek Zidlicky was dealt to Minnesota in the offseason, but the club still has 25-year-old Dan Hamhuis and 23-year-old Shea Weber back on D in addition to Suter.
The Preds used a two-headed monster between the pipes in the form of Dan Ellis and Chris Mason last year, with Ellis starting 37 games to Mason's 45. The 28- year-old Ellis is the starter this year, however, after Mason was dealt to the Blues. Ellis went 23-10-3 with six shutouts and a 2.34 goals against average in 2007-08.
While Nashville will have to adjust without Radulov, St. Louis begins the season without its top young defender in Erik Johnson, who could miss the entire season due to a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee. The 20-year-old American skater posted five goals and 28 assists in his first NHL season last year.
That will put more pressure on the likes of Eric Brewer, Barret Jackman, and Jay McKee on defense. Brewer will likely quarterback the power play in the absence of Johnson.
Offensively, the Blues, who finished 33-36-13 (79 points) last year despite a strong start, will hope Brad Boyes can extend his breakout season from a year ago. The 26-year-old forward, who scored 26 goals with Boston in 2005-06, broke out for 43 goals in his first full season with the Blues last year.
Also hoping to get the Blues going on offense will be Paul Kariya (16g, 49a), Andy McDonald (18g, 34a with the Ducks/Blues) and Keith Tkachuk (27g, 31a).
Blues veteran goaltender Manny Legace made the Western Conference All-Star team last year thanks to a strong first half of the season, but then struggled after the All-Star break.
Legace was 17-13-4 with a 2.28 GAA in his first 37 games, but was 10-12-4 with a 2.57 GAA over his final 29 outings. Still, he heads into this season as the team's No. 1 netminder despite the fact that he'll make $500,000 less than backup Mason, who the Blues hope will help keep Legace fresh down the stretch.
The Blues won the first three meetings between these Central Division foes last season, but the Predators took the final five tests in the series. Nashville is an outstanding 20-3-1 against St. Louis since the start of the 2005-06 campaign, which includes a 9-3-0 mark at the Scottrade Center.
<< Phils try to go two up on Dodgers in NLCS
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Philadelphia tries to take a two games to none lead in the
National League Championship Series this afternoon when it plays Game 2 against
the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park.
Philadelphia drew first blood in the
<< Upstart Rays welcome Red Sox to the Trop for start of ALCS
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays will battle for the
right to represent the American League at the World Series, as the best-of-
seven ALCS gets underway this evening at Tropicana Field.
While the defending world ch
<< Sweden leads by 11 at Women's World Amateur
Adelaide, Australia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Caroline Hedwall shot an even-par 73,
Anna Nordqvist had a one-over 74 and Sweden increased its lead to 11 shots
after three rounds of the Women's World Amateur Team Championship.
Playing on the G
<< Cheechoo nets a pair to lift Sharks past Ducks in season-opener
San Jose, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jonathan Cheechoo scored a pair of goals and
the San Jose Sharks pounded the Anaheim Ducks in convincing fashion, 4-1,
in a battle of Pacific Division rivals from the HP Pavilion.
Christian Ehrhoff an
Caps, Thrashers begin season in Atlanta >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Washington Capitals enter the 2008-09 campaign as
legitimate Stanley Cup contenders and will kick off the new season tonight
against the Southeast Division-rival Atlanta Thrashers at Philips Arena.
Last year's MVP Alex
Hurricanes, Panthers square off at RBC Center >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of teams on quests to get back to the playoffs will
begin their 2008-09 seasons against each other tonight, as the Carolina
Hurricanes welcome the Florida Panthers for a Southeast Division battle at the
RBC Cen
Rangers return to New York to host Blackhawks >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Rangers are back in North America for their
official home debut of the 2008-09 season, as they welcome the Chicago
Blackhawks to Madison Square Garden.
The Blueshirts opened the regular season w
Devils kick off season at home vs. Islanders >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Last year, New Jersey didn't have a home game until October
27, but the Devils will begin their 2008-09 schedule at the Prudential Center
as they welcome the New York Islanders to Newark for an Atlantic Division
battle.
American Idol Betting Odds: Season 6
The online gambling websites are in the process of deciphering each American Idol contestant and his or her chances of winning Season 6 to come up with the early American Idol betting lines.
Tim Dalton of MySportsbook.com has been locked away in a soundproof room coming up with all the latest tallies, we are told. "American Idol has become one of the most significant betting events of the year," claims Jack Black of MySportsbook.com. "Last year, millions were bet during the season across the globe, not just in America.It's tough early on since we really do not have a glimpse as to how well each of these individuals will perform solo on a week-to-week basis. It's like Week 1 of the NFL. Pre-season means nada!
We do know the 24 finalists however.
Sanjaya Malakar is the young man whose sister failed to make it into the Top 24. He's very low key but - unless he totally flubs - will probably win over the young girlie vote for a few weeks anyway. He's too young to go all the way, according to Payton O'Brien.
Brandon Rogers - Who?
Phil Stacy is the military guy who missed his daughter's birth because of the Memphis audition. He should go a good distance.
Chris Sligh - He's got the humor and in many ways he's the Anti-American Idol much like last year's winner Taylor Hicks was. And this is why he'll probably get pretty far in this competition. He's chubby, white with a big curly afro....but more importantly, a great voice! People love "real", not "real cute" to go all the way.
"Blake Lewis should go far because of his uniqueness and looks. He's the boy next store with a twist - he beat boxes. But on top of this, he's a great singer, and I adore him," Payton O'Brien relayed.
A talented beat-boxer Blake Lewis was a hit during the group sing in Hollywood but Simon explained that this is a singing contest just before he told him he was “in.”
Paul Kim has caught our own roving reporter, Jenny Woo's eyes.
"I love the fact that there is a Korean American on the show and he is bound to get more Asians tuning into the show," Woo said from her Miami Beach estate. "There has never been a major presence of Asian-Americans on American Idol in the past. He's a hottie with a nice voice so that should help to take him far. Expect heavy betting action from the Asian community."
Sundance Head - He's not perfect, but he's got the personality that will take him through a few weeks, plus he's got the lineage (son of Roy Head - whose 1965 single, "Treat Her Right," hit No. 5 in the charts)
And the others:
Rudy Cardinas
AJ Tabaldo - the 5th time is the charm
Nicolas Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter
The girls
"Melinda Doolittle has one of the best voices," says MySportsbook.com Reporter and an acclaimed dancer in her own right, Destiney Lewis. "It is great to see a back up singer step out like she has. The girl needs to gain more confidence but that can also be a positive. I think she will go far."
Alena Alexander - Those tears (she never seems to stop bawling) should get her far.
"Single mom Lakisha Jones I suspect will be a pretty big favorite entering Week 1 of the competition," says Destiny Williams. Jones is an excellent singer and down to earth. "She'll have a wide appeal," echoed O'Brien.
Nicole Trellis - Seems to exert confidence.
Amy Krebs - a powerful singer.
Antonella Barba
Gina Glocksen
Hailey Scanardo
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Sabrina Sloan
MySportsbook.com is offering a 20% signup bonus with an initial deposit (i.e. open your American Idol betting account with $300, receive another $60 in which to bet with).
Last two contestants will be?
1 Male/1 Female +100 (a $10 bet pays $10 plus your initial $10)
2 Males +170 (a $10 bet pays $17 plus your initial $17)
2 Females +130 (a $10 bet pays $13 plus your initial $10)
MySportsbook.com is an online sportsbook accepts Visa Credit Cards and online sportsbook accepts Mastercard Credit Cards for easy American Idol betting lines.
In terms of sports wagering, the NFL is "the most popular game in town." The explanation behind that is easy.
It is called the "pointspread."
Many years ago, NFL games, as well as the more popular college games, used straight odds as a vehicle for betting. For example, if the Bears were playing the Giants, and it shaped up as a competitive contest, the Bears might be, say, a 7/5 favorite. If they were playing an also-ran, it might be 10/1. Well, there is a point where a line becomes prohibitive, as far as betting the favorite. And who would waste money betting an underdog that has virtually no chance? Such a setup did not contribute to promoting betting action.
But in modern sports betting, a "pointspread" is used.
A NFL pointspreads are exactly that, a pre-established point difference between the two sides that will, for all intents and purposes, create a handicap that evens things out, and in doing so, produces comparable wagering activity on both sides of that proposition. So in lieu of a odds figure in which to bet the team to win outright, the Bears might be a three-point favorite over the New York Giants, and a 17-point favorite over the also-ran. Now that the team that is the underdog can "get" points, there can be equal action on both sides.
In sportsbooks, this is usually done with efficiency by charging the losing bettors 10% extra - in effect, bettors are laying 11/10 on those games. So they are actually betting $110 to win $100. If they lose, they pay the "vig." If they win, they simply collect.
The establishment of the pointspread as the corner stone around which team sports like football can be wagered upon was truly what brought gridiron betting into the stratosphere.
Don't believe it? Just take a look at what happens around the Super Bowl.
Stay with us here as we take you through the best in NFL action on a consistent basis, with advice columns as well as handicapping selections. If you're looking for college football betting, that's in our NCAA section, which you can reach by clicking here. And if you're looking for a different kind of football, such as the Canadian Football League, which we'll deal with occasionally, or the Arena Football League, which we really like, you can find it in our Miscellaneous section by clicking
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting odds .
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook betting credit cards
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