Corvo, Walker lead Caps against Hurricanes

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03/10/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Both Joe Corvo and Scott Walker were given a chance to compete on a championship-caliber team when they were traded by the Hurricanes to the Capitals before the trade deadline. One week later, they get to show off in front of their old club.

Corvo and Walker will square off against their former mates tonight when Washington tries to avoid a second consecutive defeat at Verizon Center versus a Carolina squad that is making a late playoff push despite being sellers at the deadline.

The Capitals have been on fire since early January, going 20-2-3 over their last 25 games while jumping out to a 31-point edge over the second-place Thrashers for the top spot in the Southeast Division. They also lead the Penguins by 13 points for the top spot in the Eastern Conference and the Sharks by four points for the most in the NHL.

Washington has also earned a point in six of its last seven games, going 3-1-3 in that span. That includes Monday's 4-3 shootout loss to Dallas that halted the Caps' home winning streak at 11 games.

Tom Poti and Alex Ovechkin scored in the first and second periods respectively, but the Stars scored three times in the third frame. Ovechkin, though, netted the game-tying goal with 3:16 left in the third before the team's five-round shootout loss to the Stars and goaltender Marty Turco, who stopped a career-high 49 Washington shots.

Semyon Varlamov stopped 23 shots in the loss, Washington's first at home since December 28 to Carolina.

"It's not everyday you throw 52 shots on net," said Washington head coach Bruce Boudreau. "We've seen what [Turco] can do when he's at the top of his game, and tonight he was at the top of his game."

Ovechkin snapped a season-long six-game goal drought and moved into a tie with Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby for the league lead in goals with 44. Ovechkin is also tops in the NHL with 92 points and posted his fifth consecutive 300-shot season.

The Hurricanes had lost their first two games versus the Capitals this year before that victory at Verizon Center on December 28 behind two goals and three assists from Eric Staal. It was only Carolina's fourth win in its last 11 versus Washington overall and its third in nine trips to D.C.

Despite entering this game nine points back of playoff spot, the Hurricanes still opted to deal defenseman Corvo and winger Walker to the Capitals last week in separate trades, just a few of the handful of deals Carolina made before the deadline.

The club has yet to slow down, winning seven straight prior to Saturday's loss to Florida. However, Carolina got right back in the win column on Sunday with a 4-0 triumph over Atlanta for its first shutout of the season. Manny Legace made 27 saves for his 24th career shutout and first since April 5, 2008 while with St. Louis.

"[The Thrashers] are so talented you just got to be on top of your game all night," Legace said. "My defense played phenomenal in front of me all night long."

Jussi Jokinen had a goal and an assist while Brandon Sutter, Joni Pitkanen, and Rod Brind'Amour also lit the lamp for the victors. Sutter now has four goals and four assists over a six-game point streak.

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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.

Football Sports Lines: Offensive Rookie of the Year Awards

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.

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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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