Blue Jackets host Blackhawks in Central showdown

Hockey Betting Lines

03/18/2009 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Columbus Blue Jackets will try to get back in the win column tonight when they welcome the struggling Chicago Blackhawks for a Central Division battle at Nationwide Arena.

The Blue Jackets, who are trying to make the playoffs for the first time since joining the league in 2000-01, had won four consecutive games prior to getting shut out on Sunday by visiting Detroit.

Columbus is currently the sixth seed in the West with 78 points and is three points ahead of Edmonton and Nashville, which are currently tied for the conference's final two playoff seeds.

The Blue Jackets were overmatched by the Red Wings in their most recent outing. Chris Osgood posted his second shutout of the season by stopping all 23 shots as Detroit blanked Columbus, 4-0, at Nationwide Arena.

Steve Mason allowed four goals on 30 shots in the loss for the Blue Jackets.

Columbus had won three straight on home ice prior to Sunday's setback. The Blue Jackets are 22-11-2 as the host this year and will follow tonight's tilt with a two-game road trip to the Sunshine State. Columbus will visit the Florida Panthers on Saturday and face Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

The Blackhawks, meanwhile, have lost three straight, five of six and eight of their last 11 contests. Chicago had once had a seemingly comfortable lead for the fourth seed in the West, but is now tied with Vancouver for that spot with 83 points.

Chicago was in action Tuesday evening in New Jersey and witnessed history as Martin Brodeur became the NHL's all-time winningest netminder in the Devils' 3-2 win. Brodeur made 30 saves in the 552nd win of his illustrious career and passed Patrick Roy for the most victories in league history.

Cam Barker and Dustin Byfuglien found the net for the Blackhawks, while Nikolai Khabibulin allowed three goals on 30 shots in a losing cause.

Chicago is wrapping a two-game road trip tonight and will open a five-game homestand beginning with Friday's game against Edmonton. The Blackhawks are 19-14-3 as the visiting team this season.

The Blackhawks have won two of the three meetings with Columbus so far this year and has taken five of seven overall in the series. Chicago has also taken three of four at Nationwide Arena.

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Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends

We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS.  Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned.  For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go.  As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190).  Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”.   By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet.  For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction.  On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later.  Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick.  Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com

New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors

Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
 New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season. 
 
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls

Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times. 
 
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons

Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season. 
 
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers

In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS. 
 
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”.  With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit.  Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.

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