Hurricanes clash with Panthers in Southeast Division battle

Hockey Betting Lines

12/18/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Carolina Hurricanes will try to win consecutive games for the first time in nearly a month when they welcome the Florida Panthers for a Southeast Division matchup at RBC Center.

The Hurricanes ended a two-game skid with Tuesday's home victory over Montreal, but haven't notched back-to-back wins since taking three in a row from November 16-21.

Carolina earned a 3-2 decision over the Canadiens as Eric Staal scored twice and Joe Corvo netted the game-winner just over seven minutes into the second period.

Cam Ward recorded 22 saves for Carolina, which had lost five of six coming into Tuesday's contest.

All three of Carolina's goals came on the power play, as the 'Canes converted 3-of-11 opportunities with the man advantage.

Staal has recorded a point in four straight games, notching five goals and two assists over that span. He has 13 goals and nine assists in 31 games this year after recording 82 points a year ago.

Meanwhile, Ray Whitney had his point streak halted at five games. He had three goals and three assists during the run.

Carolina is 8-8-1 as the host this year and is capping a brief two-game homestand tonight.

Florida is coming off a loss as it had a three-game winning streak snapped Sunday in Vancouver. Pavol Demitra scored twice and the Canucks erased a two- goal deficit with five consecutive scores to down the Panthers by a 5-3 count at General Motors Place.

Jay Bouwmeester, Nick Boynton and Michael Frolik got the goals for Florida. Craig Anderson was victimized for five goals on 30 shots in the loss.

Florida also suffered its first defeat on a five-game road trip, which ends tonight. The Panthers are 8-9-1 as the visiting team this season.

The Panther and Hurricanes have split a pair of meetings this year and Carolina has taken six of the last nine encounters overall. Florida has been dreadful in Raleigh, going 1-15 with a tie in its last 17 trips to RBC Center.

Wwwmasslottery Hockey Betting News

<< Caps shoot for fifth straight win in test with Blues
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Washington Capitals will try to match their longest winning streak of the season when they welcome the struggling St. Louis Blues for tonight's matchup at Verizon Center. The Capitals have won four in a row and will tr

<< Preds make a stop in Phoenix
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dan Ellis appeared to be in jeopardy of losing his starting job earlier this year. Needless to say, he is tightening his grip on the role. Coming off his second shutout in five games, Ellis will lead his club into Phoenix

<< Maple Leafs try to stay hot against powerful Bruins
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Toronto Maple Leafs will aim for their fourth consecutive victory when they visit the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Bruins for tonight's Northeast Division battle at TD Banknorth Garden. The Maple Leafs posted thei

<< Suns pay a visit to Blazers at Rose Garden
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Phoenix Suns shoot for their third straight win tonight when they take on the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden. The Suns have won two in a row and four of their last five games, including Monday's 111-103

<< Stars try to gain momentum in home test vs. Jackets
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dallas is starting to rack up some wins, something it has never had trouble doing against Columbus. The Stars will try to maintain their franchise-long success over the Blue Jackets tonight in a home test American Airlines Ce

Struggling Pens hope to welcome Fleury back against Thrashers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Pittsburgh Penguins will try to emerge from a lengthy break with a win, as they visit the Atlanta Thrashers for tonight's encounter at Philips Arena. The Penguins last played on Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia and w

Red Wings host Sharks in showdown between West powers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Red Wings captured their 11th Stanley Cup championship in team history last season. The San Jose Sharks appear to be the favorites to win their first-ever league title this year. The two Western Conference powe

Aiming to extend win streak, Flyers visit Canadiens >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The red-hot Philadelphia Flyers will shoot for their sixth consecutive victory when they visit the sliding Montreal Canadiens for tonight's battle at the Bell Centre. The Flyers can match their longest winning streak of th

Breeders' Cup to fund stakes program >>
Lexington, KY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Board of Directors of The Breeders' Cup has decided to continue funding of its stakes program for the coming year, reversing a decision from the last week. BloodHorse.com reported on Tuesday that

Packers place Bigby on IR >>
Green Bay, WI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Green Bay Packers have placed safety Atari Bigby on injured reserve because of a shoulder injury. Bigby played in seven games this season for the Packers, starting six, and finished with 31 tackl

NFL Football Betting : Odds on NFL Division to Win the Super Bowl

NFL Super Bowl Betting

The AFC South and the NFC East are the favorite divisions to have the next Super Bowl champ among them in the NFL betting odds. But more down to the point, these football odds are in favor of the Indianapolis Colts, by far the strongest team in the AFC South, and the Dallas Cowboys of the NFC East.

Most sports fans would agree that these two teams top the list to win it all before the season even begins. In the BetUS Sportsbook football futures, the Colts are +800 in the odds to win the Super Bowl, while the Cowboys are sitting at +1000 and the Super Bowl XLIV champions New Orleans Saints at +900. In the AFC South, the Colts won the division for five straight years after the 2002 realignment, before the Tennessee Titans won it in 2008. But the Colts came back strong in 2009 to win the division again en route to the Super Bowl. The Cowboys are the favorite to win the NFC East, as well as to advance far into the post season. The Cowboys won the division last season before their horrendous loss in the NFC Divisional playoff to Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings. But the ‘Boys will take that loss humbly and be ready for the playoffs this time around.

The NFC South is also very strong, at +600 in the NFL futures, considering that it is home to the defending Super Bowl champions. However, some predictions have the Atlanta Falcons with possibilities of claiming the divisional title this season in place of the Saints, as no team has won back-to-back division championships since the division realignment took place. Let’s not overlook the AFC North at +500. As TO goes to Cincinnati to join Chad OchoCinco and Adam “Pac-Man” Jones, this team looks to claim the division title again. And it is likely they will do so. The Bengals lost in the AFC Wild Card spot in a hard-fought battle against the New York Jets last season. Lest not forget the Pittsburgh Steelers, the XLII Super Bowl Champions… All these teams present interesting odds and matchups for the upcoming season, but the safest and surest bet seems to be with the Colts in the AFC South and the Cowboys in the NFC East. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win.

To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.