Avs attempt to extend win streak over Flames

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03/17/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Colorado Avalanche will try for their fourth straight win overall as well as their seventh victory in a row over the Calgary Flames tonight when the two teams clash at Pepsi Center.

The Avalanche's current winning streak over the Flames includes a victory in all four meetings so far this season, with each contest ending in a 3-2 score. The first three meetings finished in regulation before Colorado notched a shootout triumph at Calgary on Jan. 11.

Chris Stewart had the game-tying goal in that victory and also notched the winner in the shootout. The forward has been red-hot as of late, posting 10 goals and 11 assists over his last 12 games.

Stewart also scored and had an assist in Tuesday night's 5-3 win over St. Louis, giving him six goals and four helpers over a five-game point streak. Paul Stastny had a tally and two assists to run his point streak to eight games (5 goals, 10 assists), while Peter Mueller scored twice to go along with an assist.

Mueller has a point in all seven games since being acquired in a trade from Phoenix, notching four goals and 11 points in that span. He had just four goals and 17 points in 54 games with Phoenix this year before the trade.

"The more chances, the more confident I get," Mueller said. "Colorado gave me that chance."

Milan Hejduk contributed a goal for the Avalanche, who won their third straight overall. After making 23 straight starts, Craig Anderson was given the night off. Peter Budaj allowed a goal just eight seconds into the game in his place, but settled down to make 36 saves.

Anderson should start tonight and he has posted a 1.96 goals-against average in winning all four games versus the Flames this year.

Colorado, three points behind idle Vancouver for first place in the Northwest Division, has won seven of its last nine at home overall as well as three straight and four of its last five as the host versus Calgary.

The Flames are on the outside looking in with regards to the Western Conference playoff race, as their 2-1 setback to the Red Wings on Monday dropped them three points back of eighth-seeded Detroit with 13 games to play.

Craig Conroy scored in the loss and Miikka Kiprusoff, who has a 2.74 GAA in four starts versus Colorado this year, made 26 saves, but the Flames dropped their second in a row after a four-game winning streak.

Curtis Glencross failed to convert a penalty shot and the Flames also went 0- for-3 on the power play. That includes a four-minute man advantage with the game tied in which they managed only two shots.

"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."

Christopher Higgins sat out with a foot injury and is doubtful for tonight for Calgary, which has lost seven of its last 10 on the road.

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NCAA Football Betting

Many fans thought it was the best side in the nation by the end of last season. This year, the polls have built on Georgia's momentum and granted it the No. 1 preseason ranking, followed by Ohio State and USC. (The Associated Press has the Buckeyes at No. 2; USA Today took the Trojans.)

"To have people believing we have one of the best teams in the nation going into this thing, it's exciting for us," Bulldogs coach Mark Richt told the AP. "I don't think anything is guaranteed, but we certainly have put ourselves in position where at least the college football world thinks we're pretty good."

Georgia Bulldogs - 9.5 wins

There's no question they're good, but the Bulldogs have one of the toughest 12-game schedules in the nation, mostly because they play in the powerhouse Southeastern Conference. Away games at No. 15 Arizona State, No. 7 LSU and No. 10 Auburn loom large, with contests between the hedges versus No. 24 Alabama and No. 18 Tennessee as well as the World's Largest Cocktail Party in Jacksonville versus No.5 Florida.

Ohio State Buckeyes - 10 wins

Like the Bulldogs, the Buckeyes also have a number of tough road contests in 2008. After two scrimmages dressed up as real games versus Youngstown State and Ohio, it's off to face USC. Other tough away games include No.13 Wisconsin in October and No. 20 Illinois in November. Granted, it should be pretty easy sledding at the Horseshoe. In fact, the only ranked team that travels to Columbus is No. 22 Penn State, in October.

USC Trojans - 10.5 wins

A similarly light schedule awaits the Trojans of Southern California, which is why the oddsmakers' total is one win more and the over is currently commanding -150 odds. Pete Carroll's troops only play three ranked teams in 2008, and all of those games are at home. After what should be an easy trip to Virginia to start things off on Aug. 30, the Trojans get two weeks to prepare for Ohio State in Los Angeles. Their two other ranked opponents, No. 21 Oregon and No. 15 Arizona State, visit in consecutive weeks to start the month of October. After that, the competition eases up. Of course, this is the same highly-touted school that lost to Stanford in 2007 and Oregon State in 2006. And don't discount the fact that USC plays its biggest rivals, Notre Dame and UCLA, back-to-back to close out the regular season. On paper, the Trojans are far superior, but motivation will be high for the Irish and Bruins, especially if their historic foes are in national-title contention.

Odds to Win the Heisman Trophy

Tim Tebow, Florida - 7/2
He won it last year, so it's no surprise he's the favorite to do it again, making him just the second player to go back-to-back. Ohio State's Archie Griffin turned the trick in 1974 and 1975, and Tebow's coach, Urban Meyer, is pretty sure his star quarterback can match the Buckeyes legend.

"There has never been anyone quite like him," Meyer told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I am very lucky to be his coach."

Chris Wells, Ohio State - 5/1

The man they call "Beanie" was a star recruit out of high school, so it's not like nobody knew who the star tailback was before he rushed for 576 yards as a freshman in 2006 and 1,609 as a sophomore. But perhaps his finest moment came last year versus Michigan when he rumbled for 222 yards and two touchdowns in the Buckeyes' 14-3 victory over the hated Wolverines.

Knowshon Moreno, Georgia - 8/1

If the Bulldogs are to live up to expectations, they'll need a huge effort from their sophomore running back. This might be the last year of college ball for Moreno, who rushed for 1,334 yards and for 14 touchdowns as a freshman, while adding 253 receiving yards on 20 receptions, so expect big things for the man from Belford, N.J.

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