Byfuglien's hat trick helps Chicago down Vancouver in Game 3

Hockey Betting Lines

05/06/2010 - Vancouver, BC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dustin Byfuglien scored his first three goals of these playoffs for his second career hat trick and Antti Niemi made 31 saves, as Chicago took control in its Western Conference semifinal series with a 5-2 win over Vancouver in a chippy Game 3 from GM Place.

Byfuglien matched his career playoff scoring output with the three-goal game, was responsible for both of Chicago's power-play goals and became the first Blackhawk to record a playoff hat trick on the road since Bobby Hull netted three against Pittsburgh in the 1972 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Marian Hossa netted a big third-period goal for some breathing room as Chicago gained a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven set.

Kris Versteeg, who scored the game-winner Monday in Chicago, opened the scoring this time with a first-period tally, and Jonathan Toews recorded three assists for the Blackhawks, who ripped off three straight goals in the final 20 minutes of Game 2 to skate away with a 4-2 victory and even the series.

Alex Burrows and Jannik Hansen had the goals for the Canucks, who will host Game 4 on Friday. Alex Edler and Sami Salo each picked up two assists in the setback.

Roberto Luongo was charged with all five goals on 35 shots and looked shaky in doing so with each of Chicago's scores coming via the rebound.

Fpxsports Hockey Betting News

<< Blackhawks-Canucks Sum
Chicago 2 1 2-5Vancouver 0 2 0-2First Period-1, Chicago, Versteeg 2 (Hossa, Ladd), 5:19. 2, Chicago, Byfuglien 1 (Keith, Toews), 16:47 (pp).Second Period-3, Vancouver, Hansen 1 (Edler, Salo), 9:07. 4, Chicago, Byfuglien 2 (Toews, Kane), 11:2

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Oxford, MS (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ole Miss sophomore guard Terrico White decided to hire an agent and remain in the running for the NBA draft. The 6-foot-5 guard averaged 15.1 points and 4.6 rebounds last season and was named SEC Freshman

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Phoenix, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Amare Stoudemire scored 13 of his 23 points in the second half and totaled 11 rebounds, and the Phoenix Suns held off the Spurs, 110-102, in Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series. Jason Rich

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Commerce City, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Galaxy earned their first ever win at Dick's Sporting Goods Park with a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday night in Major League Soccer action. Alan Gordan scored the g

<< Short-handed Dallas edges Houston for first win
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ugo Ihemelu scored in the 79th minute and Kevin Hartman posted his first shutout of the season, as 10-man FC Dallas edged the Houston Dynamo 1-0 on Saturday for its first win of the season. Dallas (1-1-4) was

Longoria helps Rays handle Mariners >>
Seattle, WA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Evan Longoria drove in two runs, including the go-ahead single in the eighth inning, and the Rays continued their amazing success on the road with an 8-3 win over the Seattle Mariners. Matt Garza (5-1) t

Brewers break out bats in another rout of LA >>
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Rickie Weeks went 3-for-5 with three RBI while Prince Fielder and Casey McGehee each drove in a pair, as the Brewers upended the Dodgers, 11-3, behind another offensive outburst. After being shut out

Stewart's HR in 12th lifts Rockies over Padres >>
San Diego, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ian Stewart smacked the game-winning homer in the top of the 12th inning, as the Colorado Rockies snuck past the San Diego Padres, 6-5, in the rubber match of a three-game series at Petco Park. Tim S

Magic try and grab 2-0 series lead against Hawks >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Atlanta Hawks will try and rebound from one of their worst playoff performances in franchise history as they resume their Eastern Conference semifinals series with the red-hot Orlando Magic tonight at Amway Arena. Th

Sharks hope to finish off Red Wings in Game 4 clash at Motown >>
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Numerous College Basketball teams take final big step to March Madness betting

So, what turned on the lock spigot? Well, after what felt like weeks of teams treading water and slipping back into the bubble muck, a bunch of them finally decided to say "to heck with parity" and won games that should put them into the Big Dance.

Disagree with some of these? Then here's the challenge. Take all of the "should be ins" and make a legit case that each should be ahead of the team that's a lock. Then find 10 more teams that also should be placed in the bracket ahead of that lock team. Not so easy, is it?

If you want more evidence that these locks should be good to go, check out what our research department dug up. Since the NCAA Tournament went to 64 teams in 1985, only six teams from a "big six" conference have had a record of 10-6 or better in conference play and not been selected: Colorado (2004) and Nebraska (1999) from the Big 12, Boston College and Seton Hall (both 2003) from the Big East, Indiana (2005) from the Big Ten and UCLA, which somehow went 12-6 in the Pac-10 in 1988 and still missed out. (Note: Five teams went 11-7 and didn't get in, the latest being last season's Stanford team, which had a brutal nonconference run.)

Yes, 10 conference wins doesn't always mean what it used to because of unbalanced schedules, but this season, it should be plenty good in all but the extreme cases (see: Iowa).

In a way, this is a welcome development, because this is a bubble watch, not a lock watch. We can finally be done with teams like Maryland and Virginia Tech and start really bearing down on at-large battles such as Syracuse-West Virginia and Appalachian State-Georgia Tech.

Interestingly, all the shifting of teams into lock status appears to be more administrative than impactful. The number of remaining available at-larges didn't change one iota. The only difference is that teams on the bubble now have a clearer idea of which team(s) they are competing with for those precious bids.

The Bubble Breakdown
CONFERENCE LOCKS SHOULD BE INS AT-LARGES TAKEN
(assuming no auto bid outlier)
ACC Betting Odds 6 0 5
Big East Betting Odds 5 0 4
Big Ten Betting Odds 2 2 3
Big 12 Betting Odds 3 0 2
Pac-10 Betting Odds 5 1 5
SEC Betting Odds 4 0 3
MVC Betting Odds 1 1 1
MWC Betting Odds 2 1 2
TOTAL 28 5 25

As always, I've tried to be as inclusive as possible while only including teams that would have a reasonable chance of at least being discussed if this were Selection Sunday. If your team's not on here, there's probably a good reason (or three) -- start with the RPI and SOS numbers and work your way down.

(Please remember, per selection committee criteria, that records displayed are Division I only. Next update: Feb. 28)

If you have a legitimate grievance, or just like talking bubble, send an e-mail. Polite ones with fact-based arguments have a much better chance of receiving a response. I apologize in advance if I can't get back to all of you.

Atlantic Coast Conference

Work left to do: Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech

The ACC moves to six locks as BC, Va Tech and Virginia all got their 10th ACC wins, which should be more than enough this season, and Maryland rallied past North Carolina to get the final piece the Terps needed. After that? It could end there unless FSU, Ga Tech or Clemson picks things up in a hurry.

 

Work left to do:

Clemson [19-9 (5-9), RPI: 41, SOS: 42] The Tigers are closer to locking up the collapse of the year award (in a good battle with OK State) than they are to grabbing an at-large. Clemson's been very competitive, but there's no really positive way you can spin nine losses in 11 games. They now cannot get to .500 in ACC play and still must head to Virginia Tech in the season finale (after hosting Miami). Unless the Tigers win both and/or do some serious work in the ACC tourney, they very well could be left out. There are no great nonconference wins, but ODU, App State, Miss. State, South Carolina and Georgia are all respectable W's.

Florida State [18-11 (6-9), RPI: 48, SOS: 14] The Noles got thrashed at Maryland to run their losing streak to five, but then pounded NC State at home to set the table for what likely is an elimination game at Miami. You can at least make a case for the Seminoles at 7-9 in ACC play (and some work in the ACC tourney), but 6-10 is not going to cut it. Wins at Duke and over Florida will resonate, but the computer numbers remain questionable. Beyond Florida, FSU thrashed bubble buddy Providence, but there's not a ton beyond those two games that will help. They didn't show well in big-time opportunities against Pitt and Wisconsin (before the Florida win).

Georgia Tech [18-10 (6-8), RPI: 51, SOS: 46] The Jackets beat Wake on Wednesday but couldn't get it done at UVa on Saturday, which could be a crucial loss with UNC and BC (both at home) remaining and 8-8 almost a certain need for at-large consideration. A nonconference win over Memphis helps, but the RPI and SOS are not at-large quality right now; if you combine those with a sub-.500 ACC mark, that could spell NIT for GT.

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FOOTBALL BETTING

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After all the trouble that’s ensued since Braylon Edwards allegedly punched one of LeBron James’ homeboys in the face at a club, the Cleveland Browns have sent away their last remaining player of worth to the New York Jets. This is a great move for Dirty Sanchez and all, but it’s even better for the Knicks. Now Donnie Walsh can say, “You get to haunt Braylon Edwards with your posse if you sign here!” next summer.

Putting that aside for a moment, the move is a clear indication that the new-look Jets are gunning for the Super Bowl this year. I don’t think that New York thought that Dirty Sanchez was going to be such a rock star. With a 75.2 passer rating that was killed against the Jets, Sanchez is doing an admirable job of managing games and putting the Jets in a position to win. The defense has been the major story in New York thus far, but the acquisition of Braylon Edwards makes this offense loaded with talent that can dent any defense…as long as Dirty Sanchez continues his meteoric rise.

Thus far, Edwards has been a non-factor in the NFL piling up just 139 receiving yards on 10 catches. He has yet to find the endzone, and with the Browns mired in the most unsexy quarterback controversy of all time (Anderson vs. Quinn...yawn), there going nowhere fast. Edwards is two seasons removed from a career year which saw him catch 80 passes for 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns when the Browns were the spread killing monsters of 2007. In 2008, injuries slowed the receiver down to just 873 yards and three touchdowns though he played in all 16 games.

So that being said, we really don’t know if Braylon Edwards is just a flash in the pan, or a legit threat. At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, he is a prototypical receiver. But he’s also shown a strange, and unwarranted, talent for dropping passes. Lining up opposite Jericho Cotchery, a speed demon with 23 catches, 356 yards and a single touchdown, may give Braylon the open looks he needs. A change of scenery may also rejuvenate the star receiver.

In return, the Browns will receive Chansi Stuckey, online football betting a special teams player you’ve never heard of and a pair of draft picks. That’s a tall order for a guy whose only real value right now is in his name, and it shows no promise to the Browns that they can rebuild around those acquisitions. Braylon was the only reason to hope for the Browns to go 3-14 SU this year. Without him, they don’t have a single guy on offense that can scare any team.

For the Jets, it’s a response to the pounding that they took at the hand of the Saints. Thomas Jones and Leon Washington have averaged around 4.0 yards per carry each on the ground, but striking a fair balance between the passing and rushing attacks in New York has been a struggle. You have to believe that the trio of Dustin Keller, Jericho Cotchery and Braylon Edwards will give Sanchez the weapons he needs to unleash through the air. Theoretically, that would open up holes for the rushing game. But the proposed public option health care plan works in theory too. We need to see the proof in the pudding before we start loading up mega bucks on the New York Jets to take the AFC.

The one wrinkle in this whole thing is that Braylon could very well be suspended by the league for disciplinary action due to his “brawl” with LeBron’s friend. If that’s the case, the Jets may have to bench him for a few games leaving them with a somewhat depleted receiving corps for a few games. Also, this is a guy who gets in fights with people at clubs. New York may not be the best place for him. Just sayin’.

The Jets have a long week before they meet the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football Betting in a virtual pick ‘em game. Braylon’s excess baggage may be a distraction, and his curiously low production may be what we should be expecting of him overall, but for the Jets, taking a chance to strike gold is well worth it. At the end of the year, they can simply just blame it on their rookie quarterback.

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