Red Wings gain three-point edge on Flames

Hockey Betting Lines

03/16/2010 - Calgary, AB (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tomas Holmstrom scored the game-winning goal late in the third period, as the Detroit Red Wings edged the Calgary Flames, 2-1, in a battle between two playoff-hopeful teams at Pengrowth Saddledome.

Pavel Datsyuk also scored for the Red Wings, who have won three in a row and now lead the Flames by three points for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Jimmy Howard made 22 saves.

Craig Conroy lit the lamp for the Flames, who have dropped two straight following a four-game winning streak. Miikka Kiprusoff turned aside 26-of-28 shots in defeat.

With the scored tied at 1-1 in the third, the Flames had a golden chance to score due to Brian Rafalski's high-sticking double minor at the 3:12 mark. Calgary failed to capitalize on the extended power play.

Holmstrom's goal with 1:19 remaining put the Red Wings ahead. Johan Franzen's slapper from the left point deflected off Holmstrom's stick and past Kiprusoff.

Calgary pulled Kiprusoff for an extra attacker, but Howard and Detroit's defense held strong to secure the victory.

"We need our power play to capitalize for us," Flames head coach Brent Sutter said. "I'm sure there are some guys disappointed but there are 13 games left which is a still lot of hockey to play. Full marks to Detroit, they played well here tonight. We've got to find ways to win tight games."

The Flames got on the board just 1:47 into the first period. The Red Wings turned the puck over while trying to clear their own zone. Nigel Dawes' shot from in close set up a rebound for Conroy, whose backhander found the back of the net.

A Steve Staios interference penalty put Detroit on the power play with 2:06 to play in the second. But just over 30 seconds into the man advantage, Flames forward Curtis Glencross was hooked from behind by Henrik Zetterberg on a breakaway. Glencross failed to capitalize on the ensuing penalty shot.

The Red Wings used the momentum from Howard's stop to score a power-play goal with just under a minute left. Datsyuk made his way into the top of the slot and fired a wrister into the upper left corner of the net to tie the game.

Game Notes

Calgary and Detroit split four games this season...The Red Wings went 1-for-1 on the power play, while the Flames went 0-for-4 on the man advantage...Detroit has won five of its past six games.

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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.

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