Ward Helps Coach On Center

Hockey Betting Lines

(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Calgary Flames will try to avoid a season-high fourth straight loss and eighth in a row at Chicago this evening as they battle the Blackhawks at the United Center. Following a perfect three-game homestand, the Flames have notched an 0-1-2 record on a four-game swing and are just 6-9-2 as the guest this season. They lost their second straight game beyond regulation on Friday, falling 3-2 at Florida in a shootout.

 

Olli Jokinen had a goal and an assist against his former team and Rene Bourque also scored for Calgary, which hasn't lost four straight since Jan. 3-11 of last season.

 

Jarome Iginla added an assist and has rattled off five goals and 11 points over his last eight games.

 

While the Flames are hoping to avoid their longest losing streak of the campaign, the Blackhawks will try to stretch their current run of victories to a season-high five straight. They are 6-0-1 in December and sit a point back of the Wild for first place in the Western Conference.

 

"We didn't give them opportunities off our mistakes and we took advantage of their mistakes," Emery said after moving to 8-1-2 on the season with a 2.54 goals-against average.

 

These two clubs have split a pair of meetings this year, with each team winning once on home ice. The Flames haven't won in Chicago since March 16, 2008 and the Blackhawks have won 11 of the past 14 encounters overall.

 

Muller finally got his first win at Edmonton on Dec. 7 before dropping games in Winnipeg and Toronto. The coach received a taste of victory on home ice for the first time on Thursday as his club rallied for a 4-3 win over Vancouver.

 

"I put a lot of pressure on myself to be great because that's what I expect from myself," Ward said. "I know I have to be on top of my game to give this team a chance, and fortunately I was seeing the puck really well tonight."

 

Though Jeff Skinner and Joni Pitkanen remain out with concussions, Jay Harrison could return tonight for the first time in 11 games due to an upper- body injury.

 

The 'Canes have lost six of their last nine in Sunrise, where the Panthers have engaged in 11 straight one-goal games. They dropped a 3-2 shootout to the Devils to begin a four-game residency on Tuesday, then answered with a 3-2 shootout win over Calgary on Friday.

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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.