Despite OT loss to Bruins, Montreal clinches playoff spot

Hockey Betting Lines

04/09/2009 - Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Mark Recchi scored two goals, including the game-winner in overtime, and dished out two assists, as the Boston Bruins outlasted the Montreal Canadiens, 5-4, in a battle between Northeast Division rivals at TD Banknorth Garden.

Despite the loss, Montreal secured a playoff spot. The Canadiens needed just one point coming into the tilt to secure a trip to their second straight postseason. By forcing overtime on Thursday, Montreal did just that.

Patrice Bergeron stole the puck at the Montreal blue line and made his way toward the net. He found an open Recchi in front of the net with a beautiful pass. Recchi chipped the disc into an empty half of the net with 2:18 left in OT for the win.

Boston, which has already clinched the top-seed in the Eastern Conference, won the season series with the Canadiens, 5-0-1. The Bruins won their first season series with Montreal since 2003-2004.

This was Boston's final home game of the regular season. The Bruins will close their schedule with road tests against Buffalo and the New York Islanders.

Zdeno Chara, Bergeron, and Phil Kessel also lit the lamp for the Bruins, who bounced back from a loss to Ottawa on Tuesday. Bergeron added two helpers and Chara one. Tim Thomas stopped 35 shots to pick up his 35th win of the year.

Matt D'Agostini scored twice, while Alex Kovalev and Mathieu Schneider scored once for the Canadiens, who have dropped three in a row. Carey Price turned aside 28 shots in the loss.

Montreal (93 points) is tied with the Rangers for the final two spots in the East. The Rangers beat Philadelphia on Thursday.

Montreal ends the regular season at Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Trailing 4-3, Boston tied the game at four on a power-play goal from Chara at the 5:27 mark of the third period. Chara lifted a backhander top shelf after collecting a rebound in front of the net.

The Canadiens were given a golden opportunity when Steve Montador was whistled for roughing with 1:01 to play. Montreal failed to capitalize on their power play that extended into overtime.

The Bruins drew first blood just 2:02 into the tilt on a goal from Bergeron. Matt Hunwick carried the puck into the Montreal zone and hit Recchi with a cross-ice pass in front of the net. Recchi quickly dumped a pass to Bergeron, who fired a shot into an open right side of the net.

Kovalev scored a power-play goal just 1:25 into the second frame to tie the game at one. Mathieu Dandenault hit Kovalev with a pass at the right circle, and Kovalev fired a shot from the bottom of the right circle to beat Thomas glove side.

Kessel lit the lamp for the 33rd time this season at the 3:12 mark to give Boston a 2-1 edge. Kessel's shot from the right circle beat Price top shelf. A power-play goal from Recchi just over two minutes later extended the Bruins' margin to 3-1, but Montreal came roaring back.

The Canadiens cut the gap to 3-2 on a power-play goal from D'Agostini with 12:33 to go in the second. Schneider deadlocked the contest at three with 9:32 left.

D'Agostini lit the lamp with 3:07 remaining in the second to give the Canadiens their first lead of the game. D'Agostini won the puck at his own blue line and charged down the left side of the ice before beating Thomas stick side.

Game Notes

There was a combined total of 76 penalty minutes in the game...Boston went 2- for-4 on the power play, while Montreal went 3-for-7...The Bruins recalled forward Vladimir Sobotka from Providence (AHL) on Thursday...Boston improved to 29-6-6 at home.

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

Additional baseball lines and World Series odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

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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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