Blackhawks visit Avs for potential playoff preview

Hockey Betting Lines

04/09/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A possible first-round playoff matchup is on tap tonight in Denver, as the Colorado Avalanche begin a season-ending homestand at Pepsi Center against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Both teams have clinched postseason berths and could wind up facing each other when the Western Conference quarterfinals begin next week. Chicago enters Friday two points behind San Jose for the top seed in the conference, but has a game in hand to use over the idle Sharks tonight.

"That was our goal (to finish first in the West)," Blackhawks forward Kris Versteeg said. "There's a lot of good teams at the top battling for one spot, and no matter who you play in the playoffs -- it's going to be a tough battle. We're excited to go in there and try to finish first."

Colorado is currently eighth in the West and four points behind a trio of teams (Detroit, Los Angeles and Nashville) tied for the fifth seed.

Judging by the season series, a first-round encounter between the Avalanche and Blackhawks would be an exciting matchup. Chicago has taken two of three from the Avs in 2009-10, but every game has gone to the shootout.

The Blackhawks have taken three of five and seven of the last 11 meetings overall, but Chicago has dropped two straight and three out of four in the Mile High City.

Chicago can finish no lower than the second seed in the West and enters tonight on a five-game winning streak. The Blackhawks nearly blew a five-goal lead in their last outing, but wound up posting a 6-5 victory over the visiting Blues on Wednesday.

The Hawks led St. Louis by a 6-1 score midway through the second period, but had to hold on for the victory. Versteeg had a goal and three assists in the narrow win at United Center.

Duncan Keith, Jordan Hendry and Andrew Ladd each had a goal and an assist for the Blackhawks, while Antti Niemi made 26 saves in the win.

Blackhawks winger Marian Hossa left Wednesday's game with an undisclosed injury, but is expected to play tonight. Hossa has 50 points (24 goals, 26 assists) in 55 games this year.

Chicago, which is 22-14-4 as the guest this year, is playing its final road test of the regular season tonight. The Blackhawks will close at home this Sunday against Detroit.

After clinching a playoff berth with Tuesday's win in Vancouver, the Avalanche suffered a letdown the following night in Edmonton. Ryan Whitney's marker at 3:50 of overtime sent the Oilers, who are dead last in the NHL, past Colorado, 5-4, at Rexall Place.

Andrew Cogliano worked the puck from behind Peter Budaj over to Dustin Penner on the left side behind the goal line, before Whitney one-timed his pass from the low slot for the game-winner.

Matt Duchene, Matt Hendricks, Ryan O'Reilly and Marek Svatos tallied for the Avalanche.

Budaj was dented for five goals on 45 shots in his first start since March 21. Craig Anderson could return to his starting role tonight for the Avs.

Avs forwards Paul Stastny (undisclosed), Milan Hejduk (personal) and T.J. Galiardi (undisclosed) missed Wednesday's game, but all three could return tonight. Peter Mueller, however, is out indefinitely with a concussion after recording 20 points in just 15 games since coming over from Phoenix in trade.

Colorado is 24-13-2 as the host this year and will cap the regular season Sunday against visiting Los Angeles.

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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.