Battered Blackhawks pay a visit to Kings

Hockey Betting Lines

03/18/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - When you are one of the top teams in the NHL, you tend to have a target on your back. That term has taken a literal meaning for the Chicago Blackhawks as of late.

Chicago will try to snap a three-game losing streak and recover from the loss of yet another defenseman tonight, when it takes on the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center.

The Blackhawks are two points behind the San Jose Sharks for the top seed in the Western Conference, but matched their longest losing streak of the season with last night's 4-2 setback to the Anaheim Ducks, a loss that was made worse with the early exit of Brent Seabrook to injury.

Seabrook, who scored in the defeat along with Marian Hossa, left early in the second period after getting drilled into the boards by former teammate and current Anaheim defender James Wisniewski. Seabrook's head was driven into the glass with force, landing him on the ice a few moments after the hit, which earned Wisniewski a charging call.

Chicago defenseman Duncan Keith immediately fought Wisniewski, who began his NHL career with the Blackhawks in 2005-06 before getting dealt to the Ducks in March of 2009, and Nick Boynton also fought Wisniewski late in the third period.

"That was pretty frustrating and angering," said Chicago captain Jonathan Toews. "We're not happy about that, obviously. A lot of guys in this locker room know the guy that did it, and it becomes pretty personal when something like that happens. "He wasn't skating in from the blue line for any other reason than to run him over and take the liberty on [Seabrook]. We're proud and happy for the guys like Duncan and Nick that stood up for him."

Boynton was recalled from Rockford of the American Hockey League on Tuesday, the same day Chicago learned that defenseman Brian Campbell would miss seven- to-eight weeks because of a fractured collarbone and broken rib suffered when he was hit into the boards from behind by Washington's Alex Ovechkin on Sunday. Ovechkin earned a two-game suspension for the hit.

With Cristobal Huet out with flu-like symptoms and fellow goaltender Antti Niemi having allowed four goals in that setback to the Capitals, Corey Crawford was also recalled from Rockford on Tuesday and made his first start since March 12, 2008. He made 32 saves in the opener of a three-game road trip.

The Kings will also be looking to shake off a tough loss, as they dropped the opener of a four-game homestand on Sunday, 3-2, to the Predators.

Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown both scored for Los Angeles, which has lost seven straight to Nashville but only fell to 6-2-1 in its last nine at home overall. Jonathan Quick made 28 saves in defeat.

"It is not about them, it is about us," said Kopitar, who matched his 2007-08 career high by scoring his 32nd goal of the season. "The way we approached the game [Sunday], we were lacking energy and lacking effort. It is not the way to start a game, especially against a team we have not had success against. Most importantly, a team that is chasing us for a playoff spot. It is unacceptable."

The Kings have now fallen a point back of the Colorado Avalanche for the fifth spot in the West with two games in hand.

The Blackhawks have won four of their last five versus the Kings, including both meetings in Chicago this year. However, Los Angeles notched a 2-1 shootout victory at home on Nov. 28 on Kopitar's game-winner in the deciding frame, and has won three straight and four of the last five games played in Los Angeles between the teams.

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Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Odds

Will he or won't he?  Now that the Dallas Cowboys have a new head coach in Wade Phillips, the big question will be: Does Terrell Owens stay with the team.

Jerry Jones continues to suggest that Terrell Owens will remain with the team.

"I've said that he's back, he's here, he's under contract," Jones said. "In the interviews I've just been through (to hire a new coach), it was very clear to me how highly he's thought of and how much of an impact he had on our offensive success."

Just to be sure though, Terrell Owens cleared out his locker and removed his name plate.

Terrell Owens was among the Cowboys most productive players this past season, catching 85 passes for 1,180 yards and a league-best 13 touchdowns.

But T.O. is due a $3 million roster bonus in June, then a $5 million salary this season. Cutting him before then would save a lot of money and headaches.

Aside from the questions surrounding Terrell Owens, the oddsmakers at MySportsbook.com have concerns over starting quarterback Tony Romo's state of mind and whether he will remain a starting quarterback.  It is also not known how players will adjust to new head coach, Wade Phillips.

Here are the football odds as seen at MySportsbook.com and subject to change after February 10, 2007 if not locked in prior to that date.
Arizona Cardinals 60-1


Atlanta Falcons 50-1


Baltimore Ravens 15-1


Buffalo Bills 50-1


Carolina Panthers 18-1


Chicago Bears 10-1


Cincinnati Bengals 15-1


Cleveland Browns 100-1


Dallas Cowboys 15-1


Denver Broncos 15-1


Detroit Lions 100-1


Green Bay Packers 50-1


Houston Texans 100-1


Indianapolis Colts 6-1


Jacksonville Jaguars 30-1


Kansas City Chiefs 30-1


Miami Dolphins 40-1


Minnesota Vikings 75-1


New England Patriots 10-1


New Orleans Saints 18-1


New York Giants 20-1


New York Jets 30-1


Oakland Raiders 100-1


Philadelphia Eagles 18-1


Pittsburgh Steelers 10-1


Saint Louis Rams 60-1


San Diego Chargers 6-1


San Francisco 49ers 75-1


Seattle Seahawks 20-1


Tampa Bay Buccanneers 75-1


Tennessee Titans 40-1


Washington Redskins 50-1

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook credit cards needs.