Home sweet home: Canucks return to GM Place to battle Senators

Hockey Betting Lines

03/13/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The wait is finally over.

After playing 14 straight times on the road over a span of six weeks, the Vancouver Canucks finally return to GM Place for tonight's interconference showdown with the slumping Ottawa Senators.

That epic stretch -- the longest sequence of away games by any team in NHL history -- was necessitated by the city of Vancouver's hosting of the Winter Olympics. The Canucks played eight of those contests prior to the league's stoppage for the Games, then began their post-break schedule with a six-game trip that culminated with Wednesday's 4-3 shootout loss at Phoenix.

"There were days when you woke up in another hotel and wondered Where are we now?' before you get it together a little bit," center Ryan Kesler recently told the Canucks' official site. "The last six we've played here on the other end of the Games, that hasn't been as bad, but those first eight were real tough. They took forever."

Vancouver acquitted itself well over the massive trek, compiling an 8-5-1 record over the 14 games. The team was especially successful over the second leg, winning four of five outings before coming up just short against the Coyotes.

Down 1-0 in the third round of the shootout, Radim Vrbata kept Phoenix alive by firing the puck past Canucks goaltender Andrew Raycroft. After Mikael Samuelsson missed for Vancouver on the ensuing attempt, both teams were successful in the fourth and fifth rounds before the Coyotes' Adrian Aucoin opened the sixth with a shot that beat Raycroft upstairs. The Canucks' Mason Raymond then misfired on a backhand try to give Phoenix the two points.

The Coyotes claimed a 3-2 lead on Lee Stempniak's goal 35 seconds into the third period, but Vancouver's Christian Ehrhoff scored less than a minute later to tie the score.

Samuelsson had a goal earlier in the game and has now lit the lamp in each of Vancouver's last five matchups, with seven tallies over that span. Kesler assisted on Ehrhoff's marker to extend his scoring streak to 11 games, with the U.S. Olympic team member having notched 13 points (5 goals, 8 assists) during that span.

Canucks forward Daniel Sedin also has a notable streak going, as the standout Swede has registered an assist in eight consecutive tilts after getting one on twin brother Henrik Sedin's goal in Wednesday's loss. He has 11 helpers over that run.

Although a few Vancouver players, including Kesler, the Sedin brothers, Ehrhoff and goaltender Roberto Luongo, had the opportunity to play in their home venue while competing in the Olympics, tonight's clash will be the Canucks' first game at GM Place since a 3-2 decision over St. Louis on January 27.

The Canucks will attempt to build on their three-point lead over second-place Colorado in the Northwest Division when they take on an Ottawa squad that's gone just 1-3-1 since the break. The Senators were able to defeat doormat Edmonton in the opener of the team's three-game swing through Western Canada, but were stymied by Calgary's Miikka Kiprusoff (33 saves) in Thursday's 2-0 loss to the Flames.

"I thought we worked hard and played well, we just couldn't get one past Kiprusoff," said Senators head coach Cory Clouston. "They did a great job of blocking shots. I'm not going to criticize any of our effort; we had the chances and had the opportunities."

Ottawa is presently two points back of Buffalo for first place in the Northeast Division.

The Senators have lost two straight games at GM Place since a 2-1 triumph there on March 13, 2004. Vancouver had won four straight in this series before a 3-1 defeat in Ottawa on February 4.

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American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout

An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.

Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off.  Randy was not impressed though.  Paula thought he started off fantastic.  "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either. 

Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed.  Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact.  He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition. 

Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula.  Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.

Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next.  Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential.  Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell.  He sang "Careless Whisper".

22 year old Chris Richardson was up next.  He was listed with +1100 odds coming in.  He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great. 

Nick was boring and pitchy.  Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week.  Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition. 

Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds .  These of course were the early odds.  He was considered original for picking an "odd song".  He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night. 

Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good. 

Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds.  Great voice and a great sense of humor.  He's a real standout.  Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit.  Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig". 

Jared Cotter followed.  He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition.  The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good. 

22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next.  "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon.  Though the judges felt he performed okay.  Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.

Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition.  He was the last to perform.  He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start. 

Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys.  Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.

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