Revamped Coyotes host Ducks in Pacific clash

Hockey Betting Lines

03/06/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Phoenix Coyotes will try to record consecutive wins when they welcome the Anaheim Ducks for tonight's Pacific Division battle at Jobing.com Arena.

The Coyotes were dealt their third straight loss when they emerged from the Olympic break with Tuesday's setback against St. Louis. However, Phoenix rebounded two days later with a home victory over Colorado.

Thursday's win helped Phoenix move ahead of Los Angeles in the Western Conference standings. The Coyotes are currently fourth in the West with 81 points, just one more than the Kings.

Wojtek Wolski was the hero for Phoenix in his first game with the Coyotes, scoring with 23.7 seconds left in regulation to beat his former Colorado club in a 3-1 final. Wolski was dealt from the Avalanche to the Coyotes on Wednesday for forwards Peter Mueller and Kevin Porter.

Phoenix veteran Shane Doan found Wolski set up at the left circle for a one- timer to further the storyline and break a 1-1 tie. Radim Vrbata added an empty-net goal to account for the final margin.

"It was great, we got a lot of chances and I think it will only get better with each game," said Wolski of working with his new teammates. We're all excited about playing with each other."

Fellow newcomer Lee Stempniak, brought in from Toronto on an exceptionally busy day for the Coyotes at the deadline, scored in his first game as well. Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov came up with 23 saves for the win.

The Coyotes are playing the fourth test of a five-game homestand tonight. Phoenix, which is 23-10-2 as the host this year, will complete the residency Wednesday against Vancouver.

Anaheim has played just one game since the Olympic break and it was also against Colorado, which handed the Ducks a close regulation loss on Wednesday. Chris Stewart had a goal and two assists to lift the Avs to the 4-3 decision in Anaheim.

Teemu Selanne and Jason Blake each had a goal and assist for the Ducks, who are currently outside of the playoff picture with 67 points.

Scott Niedermayer also scored in the loss, while Jonas Hiller made 21 saves.

The Ducks have a poor 11-17-5 record as the guest this year. Following tonight, however, Anaheim will play its next seven games on home ice.

Tonight marks the sixth and final regular season meeting between Anaheim and the Coyotes in 2009-10. Phoenix has won three of the five prior matchups and posted a 4-0 home victory the last times the clubs met on December 23.

The Ducks still have six wins in the last 10 overall meetings between the teams, but they have dropped three straight and five of their last eight in Glendale.

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Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value

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.

"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,'  it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."

"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.