Devils try to extend domination of Penguins

Hockey Betting Lines

03/17/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A huge battle in the Atlantic Division race is on tap tonight in Newark, pitting the host New Jersey Devils against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Prudential Center.

The Penguins, of course, are the defending Stanley Cup champions and come into tonight with a two-point edge over the Devils for the division lead. New Jersey, however, won the Atlantic title last season and has taken the crown in three of the past four years.

The Atlantic lead also comes with the inside track on the second seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race. With 87 points, Pittsburgh is 16 behind Washington for the top spot and five points ahead of third-seeded Buffalo.

The Devils should be comforted by the fact that they have absolutely dominated Pittsburgh this season and could sweep the season series tonight. New Jersey has outscored the Pens by a 17-3 margin over the five matchups this year and posted a 3-1 victory when the clubs met in Newark last week. Ilya Kovalchuk notched a goal and two assists and Martin Brodeur stopped 34 shots to lead the Devils in that victory.

New Jersey has taken six of seven and eight of 11 overall in the series, while Pittsburgh has dropped three straight and four of its last five in the Garden State.

The Pens also come into tonight with an injury concern to a major point producer in forward Evgeni Malkin, who suffered a foot injury after getting hit with a shot in Sunday's win over Tampa Bay. An X-ray revealed that Malkin, who has 69 points this season, suffered no broken bones, but he is still questionable for tonight.

Pittsburgh captain and leading scorer Sidney Crosby also twisted his right leg on Sunday, but was able to return later in the game. Crosby practiced on Tuesday, but Malkin did not.

"Geno is day-to-day." Pens head coach Dan Bylsma said of Malkin on Tuesday. "He's going with us tomorrow."

The Devils have split two games since Friday's meeting with Pittsburgh, beating visiting Boston in a close regulation decision on Monday. Zach Parise scored the eventual game-winner late in the first period, leading the Devils to the 3-2 victory at the Rock.

David Clarkson had a goal and an assist for the Devils, who have won three of their last four outings. Rob Niedermayer also lit the lamp and Brodeur made 34 saves.

"As a team were starting to mold and that's when it gets exciting," Clarkson said. "This is when you're going into war. This is the playoffs coming up. I believe we have a group of guys that I would take everyone of them with me."

The Devils have won their last four games on home ice and come into tonight with a superb 23-9-1 record as the host this year.

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh comes into tonight with a 1-1-1 record so far on a five- game road trip that ends Thursday in Boston. Overall, the Pens have a strong 20-13-2 record as the guest, but they have lost four of six away from the Steel City.

The Penguins have played only Sunday's game in Tampa since losing to the Devils. Sergei Gonchar notched the game-winning score early in the third period to lift Pittsburgh to the 2-1 decision over the Lightning.

Pascal Dupuis also tallied for the Penguins, who snapped a two-game slide and won for the fifth time in seven games. Marc-Andre Fleury made 21 saves in the victory,

"It's one of those games where they are battling for the playoffs and they played like they wanted it," Dupuis said of Sunday's win. "We came out not expecting that, we had a big push early in the third to win the game."

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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.