Islanders try again for first win in December versus Preds
Hockey Betting Lines
12/20/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Islanders still haven't won a game in December, something they will try to fix tonight in a road test versus the Nashville Predators at the Sommet Center.
New York has gone 0-7-1 since defeating Ottawa to close out November. Following that victory, the Islanders lost six in a row in regulation before an overtime setback to Washington on Tuesday.
New York then visited Minnesota last night and dropped a 4-1 contest. Richard Park had the lone goal for the Islanders, who have been outscored 39-16 over their skid. Joey MacDonald stopped 35-of-39 shots faced.
The Isles will attempt to avoid losing nine straight games for the first time since 10 consecutive defeats from December 22, 1997-January 12, 1998.
Doug Weight had an assist to leave him two points shy of 1,000 for his career. Weight has a point in seven of his last eight games (2 goals, 5 assists) and has three goals and 17 assists in 40 career games versus the Predators.
Defenseman Andy Sutton leads New York with a plus-3 rating in addition to having two goals and eight assists this year, but left last night's loss with a broken foot.
The Islanders have also lost seven straight on the road, where they are 5-11-1 this season.
Not only will New York be aiming to halt its eight-game slide tonight, but the club hasn't defeated Nashville since a home win on October 15, 2002. The Islanders have lost four straight to the Predators since then, including three in a row in Nashville.
The Predators will try to take advantage of an Islanders' club that is allowing an NHL-high 3.69 goals per game, as Nashville is netting just 2.61 GPG and has lost four of its last five games. It has managed to score just one goal in each of its last three setbacks, including Thursday in a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Phoenix.
Vernon Fiddler had the lone tally and Dan Ellis turned in a solid performance for Nashville by making 25 saves. Rich Peverley and Shea Weber notched assists.
Weber is one of the few Predators skaters who have stepped it up this season. His 11 goals are the most of any NHL defenseman this year while his 26 points are tied with San Jose's Dan Boyle for the most in the league by a blueliner.
Jason Arnott leads the team with 13 goals but hasn't found the back of the net in seven straight games. J.P. Dumont, meanwhile, hasn't scored in any of his last four games, while Martin Erat has lit the lamp just once in his past 15 contests.
Nashville has won three of its last four as the host and is 8-4-1 overall at home.
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The bottom two teams in the Southeast Division will meet tonight in Atlanta, as the Thrashers host the Tampa Bay Lightning at Philips Arena. The Lightning are tied with the New York Islanders for last in the NHL with just
<< Penguins play host to Maple Leafs
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Pittsburgh Penguins will try to post consecutive
victories for the first time in over a month when they host the Toronto Maple
Leafs tonight at Mellon Arena.
The Penguins have won two of their last three games and rebo
<< Eriksson leads Dallas into Ottawa
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - In a season filled with losses and injuries, Loui Eriksson
is providing the Stars with a little bit of excitement. The 23-year-old will
try to light the lamp for a third straight game tonight in Dallas' road
matchup with the
<< Canadiens try to get on a roll at home versus Sabres
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Canadiens always try to make the Bell Centre a tough
place to play at for their opponents, but that hasn't been the case as of
late. Montreal will try to build off its most recent home win when it hosts
the Buffalo Sabres
<< Top-25 foes meet at FedExForum
Memphis, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A top-25 showdown takes place in Memphis this
evening, as the 11th-ranked Syracuse Orange come calling on the 23rd-ranked
Memphis Tigers.
The Orange come into the game with a stellar 10-1 record, although their
Ames, IA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Paul Rhoads was named the new head football coach at Iowa State on Saturday morning, an ironic twist in the Iowa State-Auburn coaching connection in the past week. A 6:00 p.m. (et) news conference is schedul
Wild shoot for another victory in test versus Blues >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Minnesota Wild recently ended a lengthy losing streak
and the Blues would like to do the same tonight, when the two clubs get
together at St. Louis' Scottrade Center.
Minnesota had dropped a franchise-record six straig
Coyotes aim to extend home run in battle with Blue Jackets >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Unlike last year, the Coyotes are sending their fans home
happy after games. Phoenix will try to record at least a point in a sixth
straight game as the host tonight, when they welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets
to Jobing.com
Canucks hope to cool off Blackhawks >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Excitement is starting to mount in Vancouver. The Canucks
will play their first game tonight since the signing of Mats Sundin, as they
host the Chicago Blackhawks at GM Place.
After deciding not to sign with a team this pa
Sharks aim to get back on track against Rangers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Jose Sharks may have picked a bad time for just
their second losing streak of the season. They will try to avoid dropping
three in a row for the first time this season while also notching their first
home win over the
It's less than a month until the NHL hockey betting season opens at MySportsbook.com and preparations are underway for another battle in the race to hoist Lord Stanley's mug in 2007.
As cup crazy fans prepare to place their bets, one online sportsbook ,MySportsbook.com, is offering hockey betting lines on the 2007/2007 Stanley Cup , who will bring it home this upcoming season.
Despite a poor showing in last season's playoffs and the loss of Steve Yzerman to retirement, the Detroit Red Wings are early favourites at this online sportsbook with wagering odds of 6-1. The Wings will look to offensive powerhouse Pavel Datsyuk and newly appointed captain Nicklas Lidstrom to lead one of the league's most prominent franchises.
Always a threat are the Ottawa Senators, with newly acquired goaltender Martin Gerber from the Stanley Cup champion ,Carolina Hurricanes. The Sens are second best in the rankings at a 7-1 bet, and odds makers at this sportsbook are optimistic that the Ottawa squad will fare better than last season's Eastern Conference semi-final upset to the Buffalo Sabres.
Also worth noting are the defending Stanley Cup champs Carolina Hurricanes, a 10-1 bet to repeat. Behind the Canes are the New Jersey Devils, Calgary Flames, Buffalo Sabres, Philadelphia Flyers, and Anaheim Mighty Ducks all sit at 12-1. In the basement are the Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, and St. Louis Blues who all have 100-1 odds to win.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your hockey betting needs.