Nabokov helps Sharks hold off Rangers

Hockey Betting Lines

12/21/2008 - San Jose, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Evgeni Nabokov made 32 saves and the Sharks remained unbeaten in regulation at home this season with a 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers.

Patrick Marleau, Dan Boyle and Ryane Clowe scored for the Sharks, who moved to 17-0-2 at home this season and 25-0-3 in their last 28 as the host dating back to last year. Their run of points in 28 straight home games is nine shy of the NHL record of 37 games that was set by the Montreal Canadiens in 1976-77 and 1977-78 (31-0 with 6 ties).

It was just their fifth win ever over the Rangers, beating them for the first time since October 22, 2001.

San Jose, coming off a 6-0 loss at Detroit, avoided dropping its third in a row for the first time this season. The Sharks lead the NHL with 55 points and are 26-4-3 on the season.

"Nabby played great tonight," said San Jose's Joe Thornton. "That's the reason we won. He needs to steal some games, and he stole this game tonight for us."

Thursday's loss to the Red Wings snapped San Jose's 15-game point streak (12-0-3), but two nights later they rode Nabokov's impressive showing as he stopped all 17 shots that came his way in the third period.

Nikolai Zherdev and Ryan Callahan had the goals for the Rangers, while Henrik Lundqvist made 27 saves. New York had its three-game win streak broken.

Callahan's goal midway through the second on a rebound brought the Rangers within 3-2, and even though they constantly pressured the San Jose zone in the third period, Nabokov was equal to the task.

That included the Sharks killing off a Joe Pavelski hooking penalty for two minutes to start the third.

Boyle scored during a two-man advantage 4:27 into the game on a one-timer from the left circle. Clowe scored 25 seconds later from the right side of the net.

"Tough to start the game 5-on-3 and they get two quick goals there," said Lundqvist. "But we really regrouped there and came back and the third was really good. Unfortunately we couldn't tie the game but we played really well I think."

Zherdev netted one shorthanded at the 10:34 mark of the first on a blast from the left circle, but Marleau scored 6:20 into the second on a shot from below the right circle.

Game Notes

The Rangers went 0-for-2 on the power play, while the Sharks were 2- for-5...New York hosts Washington on Tuesday, while San Jose's next game is also Tuesday, at home versus Vancouver.

Sportt Hockey Betting News

<< Collison, UCLA cruise past Mercer
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Darren Collison had 20 points to lead 14th- ranked UCLA to a 76-59 win over Mercer at Pauley Pavilion. Michael Roll made 4-of-5 three-point attempts en route to 16 points, while Alfred Aboya finished w

<< Ducks' Selanne out with quad injury
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Anaheim Ducks forward Teemu Selanne is expected to miss the next 4-to-6 weeks of action due to a cut left quadriceps muscle. Selanne suffered a laceration on his lower left thigh when his own right skate sliced

<< Toews, Blackhawks beat Canucks, win seventh straight
Vancouver, BC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jonathan Toews had a goal and an assist to lead Chicago to a 3-1 victory over Vancouver, giving the Blackhawks their longest win streak in almost 28 years. Chicago won its seventh straight game, so

<< Tuitama, Arizona defeat BYU in Las Vegas Bowl
Las Vegas, NV (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Willie Tuitama threw two touchdown passes and ran for another, and Mike Thomas set a Pac-10 record with 259 career catches, as Arizona upended No. 17 BYU, 31-21, to win the Las Vegas Bowl. Tuitama, who was

<< No. 4 Oklahoma tops VCU
Oklahoma City, OK (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tony Crocker scored a game-high 26 points, leading the fourth-ranked Oklahoma Sooners to an 81-70 win over the feisty Virginia Commonwealth Rams in the All-College Classic. Crocker shot 5-of-6

Ravens OT Anderson, Mason return despite injuries >>
Irving, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Willie Anderson and wide receiver Derrick Mason both were injured in Saturday night's 33-24 win over Dallas, but returned and played through pain. Anderson was hurt la

Rooney leads United to Club World Cup title >>
Yokohama, Japan (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Wayne Rooney's goal in the 73rd minute handed 10-man Manchester United a 1-0 win over LDU Quito in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup on Sunday. United was the better side throughout much of the ma

No. 25 Clemson opens ACC play at Miami-Florida >>
Coral Gables, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The ACC season begins for the 25th-ranked Clemson Tigers and the Miami-Florida Hurricanes as the two meet in Coral Gables tonight. Clemson has taken full advantage of a weak non-conference schedule, as the

No. 3 Pitt plays first true road game tonight at Florida State >>
Tallahassee, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The third-ranked Pittsburgh Panthers of the Big East Conference have traveled to Tallahassee for a showdown with the Florida State Seminoles of the ACC. Pittsburgh will be idle for nine days after this cont

Flyers pay afternoon visit to Devils >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Flyers will attempt to post back-to-back wins in New Jersey for the first time since the 2001-02 season, as they visit the Devils today at the Prudential Center. The Flyers and Devils began their six-game

MySportsbook.com is operated by Sportingbet, a UK gambling company which is publicly traded on the AIM on the London Stock Exchange.

Sportingbet easily forms the world's largest Internet gaming company, with a truly global outreach. This also provides added transparency and accountability to this online Sportsbook and thus provides more safety and security for our customers. MySportsbook offers betting lines on all major sporting events. Our staff of almost 400 people includes clerks ready 365 days a year, 24 hours a day to care for your needs.

MySportsbook's competent, experienced managerial staff and personnel are backed by a state-of-the art sports wagering software.

We offer a 15% sign-up bonus to new customers who use Neteller for deposit and 10% bonus for all other deposit methods. Casino clients can take advantage of a 5% cash back monthly. Clients are also eligible for a 5% re-up bonus on subsequent deposits and 10% cash back on NFL losses.* Our instant-play flash casino is no-download, just click and go to a wide range of games including online Blackjack, 3-Card Poker, Craps, Baccarat, Roulette and Pai-Gow Poker, as well as a variety of slots and video poker games for the complete online casino Las Vegas experience.

My Sports book accepts all credit cards, online checks, Neteller, Firepay and bank wires. MySportsbook guarantees prompt, hassle-free payouts, as well as unparalleled individual attention from its acclaimed customer service department.

To visit this sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa needs.

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.