Penguins host Sabres in important Eastern faceoff
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03/13/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Eastern Conference-leading Buffalo Sabres will try to end a three-game losing streak tonight, when they travel to Pittsburgh's Mellon Arena to face the Penguins.
The Sabres have 93 points on the season, but thanks in part to the slide, they are now just one point ahead of the New Jersey Devils for the top spot in the conference.
Buffalo met New Jersey for the conference lead on Saturday and the visiting Devils walked out of HSBC Arena with a 3-2 victory. Brian Rafalski scored the eventual game-winning goal in a shorthanded situation, while Martin Brodeur made 31 saves to lift New Jersey to the regulation win.
Ryan Miller allowed three goals on 26 shots for Buffalo. Daniel Briere tallied in defeat and Dainius Zubrus scored his first goal in a Buffalo uniform since being acquired at the trade deadline.
The Sabres are kicking off a four-game road trip this evening after playing 10 of their last 13 games at home. Buffalo has an excellent 21-9-2 mark as the visitor this year and has won three of its last four on the road.
The Penguins, meanwhile, will try to close out a three-game homestand on a positive note tonight. Pittsburgh is 1-0-1 on the residency so far, losing to New Jersey in a shootout last Thursday and beating the New York Rangers in overtime on Saturday.
The Pens have gone past regulation in four straight and five of their last six games, posting a 4-1-1 mark over that stretch.
Saturday's triumph over the Rangers came in comeback fashion, as Pittsburgh erased a two-goal deficit in the third period before winning 3-2 in overtime. Colby Armstrong scored the winning goal at 1:19 of the extra session.
Evgeni Malkin tallied a goal and an assist for the Penguins, who are fifth in the Eastern Conference and just one point behind Ottawa.
Sidney Crosby also scored for Pittsburgh to notch his 100th point of the season, while Marc-Andre Fleury made 26 saves in the victory.
The Penguins are 20-9-5 as the host club this year and have won 10 of their last 12 home games.
In other news, the Penguins have reportedly reached an agreement with city, county and state officials for the financing of a new arena that will keep the club in Pittsburgh for the next 30 years. Specifics of the $290 million deal are expected to be announced before tonight's game.
Buffalo and Pittsburgh have split a pair of meetings this year. The Sabres had been unbeaten in seven straight (6 wins, 1 tie) against Pittsburgh until the Pens won at HSBC Arena on January 5.
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Islanders play their first game since the Chris Simon suspension was handed down when they visit the Montreal Canadiens tonight at the Bell Centre. Simon has been suspended for the rest of the regular
<< Lightning conclude trek in Toronto
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Tampa Bay Lightning will try to close out their lengthy
road trip on a positive note as they visit the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air
Canada Centre tonight.
The Lightning are 3-2-0 so far on their longest trek of the
<< Surging Panthers visit rival Hurricanes
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Florida Panthers have a chance to further their push
for the playoffs this evening, when they visit the struggling Carolina
Hurricanes at the RBC Center.
Having won two straight and six of their last seven
<< Pacers try to avoid 10th straight loss vs. Timberwolves
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The slumping Indiana Pacers try to avoid their 10th
straight loss, as they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight at the Target
Center.
Indiana is still No. 7 in the Eastern Conference playoff race, one-half game
ahea
<< Bulls, Celtics conclude home-and-home set
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics play the finale of a
home-and-home set tonight, as they battle at the United Center.
Chicago is four games behind the Detroit Pistons for the top spot in the
Central Division and the E
Orchard Park, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Buffalo Bills have agreed to terms on a multi-year contract with cornerback Kiwaukee Thomas, the team announced Tuesday. Thomas had 42 tackles and broke up six passes in 16 games last year in
The spoils: Francella's win moves her to No. 77 >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Meaghan Francella vaulted into the top 100
in the Rolex Rankings for women's golf after beating world No. 1 Annika
Sorenstam in a playoff Monday at the MasterCard Classic.
Francella's first LPGA To
Mets release Soler >>
Winter Haven, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Mets released pitcher Alay
Soler on Tuesday.
Soler, 27, signed a three-year deal with the Mets in 2004 after defecting from
Cuba. In eight starts in 2006, the right-hander went 2-3 with a 6
Report: Bickerstaff to be replaced on Charlotte bench >>
Charlotte, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bernie Bickerstaff will reportedly not return
as the Charlotte Bobcats head coach next season.
The Charlotte Observer reported Tuesday that managing member of basketball
operations Michael Jordan stated
Timberwolves still alive in West >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Minnesota Timberwolves are a disappointing 27-35
this season, but with the 20 games left on their scheduled they are still
in the mix in the Western Conference playoff race.
Minnesota, which has missed the pla
Barry Bonds Watch: Giants Slugger Says He'll Be Back
With only 21 home runs standing between him and Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds is indeed planning on coming back for more in 2007. At least, that's what his agent told the Los Angeles Times.
"Barry's going to play in 2007," Jeff Borris of Beverly Hills Sports Council told the Times on Tuesday. "I've had many discussions with Barry and he's going to play. My intentions are to see to it he's in a big-league uniform next season. Those are my marching orders."
Contract negotiations could get started as early as next week. Let's see which team has the deeper pockets. Will MLB baseball betting lines despite allegations of steroid use? Bet On It at www.MySportsbook.com .
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Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson
JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.
Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.
MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .
''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''
Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.
He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.
''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''
Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.
Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.
With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.
Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com
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