Flyers, Bruins look to continue good play of late

Hockey Betting Lines

02/19/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of teams that have shown improved play in recent weeks will get together this evening at the Wachovia Center, where the Boston Bruins resume a long road trip with a showdown against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Although both clubs are on the outside looking in of the Eastern Conference playoff picture, with the Flyers well out of the postseason chase, each enters tonight's game with victories in three of its last four contests.

Philadelphia finally got its first win without Peter Forsberg in the lineup on Saturday, a 5-3 decision over the rival New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Simon Gagne and Geoff Sanderson each had a goal and an assist to lead the way.

The Flyers traded star center Forsberg to the Nashville Predators on Thursday in exchange for right wing Scottie Upshall, 19-year-old defense prospect Ryan Parent and a pair of 2007 draft choices. Upshall made a good impression with his new team, scoring a power-play goal in the third period during his Philly debut.

Philadelphia had gone 0-13-3 in the games the oft-injured Forsberg had missed this season, then was dealt a 4-2 loss to Toronto on the night of the big trade.

Antero Niittymaki made 40 saves for the Flyers, who still have a league-low 40 points on the season.

Philadelphia did suffer a significant injury on Saturday, as right wing Mike Knuble fractured his right cheekbone and orbital bone in a scary collision with New York's Brendan Shanahan during the third period. Knuble, who ranks second on the team in goals (22) and points (43), will be sidelined indefinitely.

Gagne has scored a goal in five consecutive games and has amassed 11 points (7 goals, 4 assists) during that stretch.

Boston outlasted the Eastern Conference-leading Buffalo Sabres in a thrilling shootout in its most recent outing. Petr Tenkrat's goal in the eighth round proved to be the difference as the Bruins came away with a 4-3 victory Saturday at HSBC Arena.

Tim Thomas stopped all eight Buffalo skaters he faced during the deciding phase and finished with 22 saves in regulation for Boston, which won for the fifth time in its last seven games. Shean Donovan and Marc Savard each registered a goal and an assist on the evening.

The Bruins are currently eight points behind Montreal and Toronto for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Boston will be playing the third installment of a six-game road trip, which began with a loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday, and owns an 11-14-2 record away from home.

The Flyers are a dismal 5-16-7 at the Wachovia Center this season but have won two of their last three home games.

Boston earned a 4-3 triumph over Philadelphia in Beantown back in January and has taken the last two meetings in this series.

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Football Betting Lines

The 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds have been released and Denver Broncos' running back Knowshon Moreno has been made the opening favorite.

Bet NFL Sports Lines

Moreno was selected in the first round of April's NFL draft and is expected to carry the rushing load for the Broncos this season. And with Jay Cutler now in Chicago, Moreno might be expected to be Denver's entire offense.

Betting Lines from sports betting lines have made Moreno a 5/2 favorite to win this year's Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. Fellow running back Chris “Beanie” Wells (Arizona Cardinals) is right behind Moreno at 7/2, while Donald Brown (Indianapolis Colts) and receiver Michael Crabtree (San Francisco 49ers) are 5/1 to win. Quarterbacks Mark Sanchez (New York Jets) and Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) are 7/1 and 8/1, respectively.

A couple of players who present some value are Josh Freeman, Shonn Green and Darrius Heyward-Bey.

Freeman needs to beat out Byron Leftwich to become the starting quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but if he does, he has a lot or raw talent and could use the weapons around him (i.e. Kellen Winslow Jr. and Antonio Bryant) to be very successful in his first season.

Green enters a crowded backfield in New York, but considering both Thomas Jones and Leon Washington are unhappy about their contract situations and might holdout, the former Iowa product could become the Jets' primary back.

Everyone was shocked when Al Davis took Heyward-Bey with the eighth overall pick in April's draft, but the kid has a tremendous amount of talent and if quarterback JaMarcus Russell takes the next step this year, the former Maryland product could blossom. Plus, Heyward-Bey will be looking to prove the people wrong who said Oakland should have taken Michael Crabtree with the No. 8 pick.

And if you're looking for a deep sleeper, check out Pat White at 30/1. He enters the Miami Dolphins vaunted “Wild Cat” offense and could be a big time playmaker.

For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds, see below.

2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds to Win

Ramses Barden (NYG) 40/1

Andre Brown (NYG) 20/1

Donald Brown (IND) 5/1

Kenny Britt (TEN) 20/1

Glenn Coffee (SFO) 30/1

Chase Coffman (CIN) 50/1

Michael Crabtree (SFO) 5/1

Josh Freeman (TB) 14/1

Shonn Green (NYJ) 14/1

Percy Harvin (MIN) 10/1

Darrius Heyward-Bay (OAK) 18/1

Juaquan Iglesias (CHI) 30/1

Cornelius Ingram (PHI) 50/1

Rashad Jennings (JAC) 30/1

Johnny Knox (CHI) 40/1

Jeremy Maclin (PHI) 18/1

Mohamed Massaquoi (CLE) 30/1

LeSean McCoy (PHI) 12/1

Knowshon Moreno (DEN) 5/2

Hakeem Nicks (NYG) 18/1

Brandon Pettigrew (DET) 30/1

Brian Robiskie (CLE) 20/1

Mark Sanchez (NYJ) 7/1

Matthew Stafford (DET) 8/1

Jason Smith (STL) 40/1

Mike Thomas (JAC) 25/1

Patrick Turner (MIA) 50/1

Mike Wallace (PIT) 50/1

Chris Wells (ARI) 7/2

Pat White (MIA) 30/1

Field (Any Other Player) 9/1

Betting Line

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