Kings try to bounce back against Blue Jackets

Hockey Betting Lines

03/08/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Kings will try to avoid a three-game losing streak when they host the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets tonight at Staples Center.

The Kings won their first game following the Olympic break, pounding Dallas, 5-1, on Tuesday. Since then, however, LA has dropped consecutive 4-2 decisions to Nashville and Montreal.

After losing a road test to the Predators on Thursday, the Kings were dealt a setback Saturday at home by the Habs. Brian Gionta and Benoit Pouliot each had a goal and an assist in Montreal's 4-2 win.

Anze Kopitar and Fredrik Modin had the goals for Los Angeles, while Jonathan Quick made 21 saves in defeat -- just the Kings' third regulation loss in the last 15 games.

"This was a pretty good effort, we just unfortunately gave the puck away at the wrong time," Kings coach Terry Murray said.

The Kings have 80 points and are tied with Colorado for the fifth seed in the Western Conference. LA hasn't made the postseason since the spring of 2002.

LA is 18-10-3 as the host this year, but has lost two of its last three home games.

Meanwhile, Columbus is second from the bottom in the Western Conference and has lost four straight, including two losses since the Olympic break.

The Blue Jackets were dealt an overtime loss Tuesday by visiting Vancouver and then lost a close regulation decision Saturday in San Jose. The Western Conference-leading Sharks posted a 2-1 win after scoring twice in the third period.

Andrew Murray scored the lone goal while Steve Mason made 42 stops for the Blue Jackets.

"They're a first-place team. They're there for a reason and they showed it tonight," Mason said. "Going into the third period we had the lead. They never give up and it showed."

Columbus has lost six of its last eight on the road and is just 10-19-4 as the guest this year. The Jackets will cap a three-game road trip Tuesday in Anaheim.

The Kings have taken two of three from Columbus this year and tonight's test marks the final meeting between the clubs this season. LA has won five of seven overall in the series and the Blue Jackets have dropped two of three at Staples Center.

Wwwmaximumexp Hockey Betting News

<< Mighty Caps host sliding Stars
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Washington Capitals were struggling heading into the Olympic break but the NHL's point leaders seemed to regain their swagger last week. The Caps will shoot for a fourth straight victory tonight, when they host the Da

<< 2010 Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament Preview
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jackson State has played in the last three Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament Championship games and the top- seeded Tigers have a strong chance to reach that point again in the 33rd- annual SWAC Tou

<< 2010 Southland Conference Tournament Preview
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Eight Southland Conference teams will gather in Katy, Texas this week to compete for a bid to the NCAA Tournament. The quarterfinal round, featuring all eight teams, will take place on Wednesday, followed

<< 2010 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament Preview
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 39th annual Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament will begin on Tuesday, and the Morgan State Bears will look to claim their second straight tournament title. Morgan State, which defeated Norfolk Sta

<< 2010 Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament Preview
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Of the 14 teams in the Atlantic 10 Conference, 12 have been invited to participate in the league tournament which begins on Tuesday night. The first round will take place at campus sites of the higher seeds.

Eagles bring back Avant; Vick next >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Eagles and wide receiver Jason Avant have agreed to terms on a five-year contract, and it appears as though the team will pick up the 2010 contract option on quarterback Michael Vick.

Di Maria continues to ponder future >>
Lisbon, Portugal (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Benfica winger Angel Di Maria has played down rumors linking him with a certain exit from the Portuguese giants in the summer. The 22-year-old Argentina international is attracting interest from a num

Fabregas to miss return leg against Porto >>
London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas will miss the second leg of his side's Champions League Round of 16 tie against FC Porto due to a hamstring injury. The 22-year-old Spain international midfielder limped out

Mowbray hopeful of keeping Keane >>
Glasgow, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Celtic manager Tony Mowbray retains some hope of being able to convince loan striker Robbie Keane to remain with the club beyond the end of the season. The 29-year-old has scored five times in sev

2010 Great West Conference Tournament Preview >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The inaugural Great West Conference Tournament takes place at the McKay Center in Orem, Utah from March 10-13. The champion of this event receives an automatic bid to the Collegeinsider.com Tournament, as the

Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.