Rangers put win streak on the line against new-look Flyers

Hockey Betting Lines

02/17/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Flyers will try to earn their first win of the year without Peter Forsberg this afternoon, when they visit the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

The Flyers, who are in the midst of possibly the worst season in franchise history, opted to get something for their star player in a trade rather than have him wind down his time in Philadelphia. Philly sent Forsberg, a free agent at the end of this season, to Nashville Thursday in exchange for right wing Scottie Upshall, defenseman Ryan Parent and first-round and third-round draft picks in the 2007 NHL draft.

Forsberg registered 115 points in 100 games since signing a two-year deal with the Flyers before the 2005-06 season. Forty of those points in a Philadelphia uniform came in his 40 games this year.

It was particularly evident what Forsberg's presence meant to the Flyers this season. Although the team has had the worst record in the league for much of the year, all 15 of Philadelphia's victories came with Forsberg in the lineup. The club was a dismal 0-13-3 without its former captain.

The Flyers scratched Forsberg just before Thursday's game against visiting Toronto as word soon spread that he had been dealt. Philadelphia lost the game to the Maple Leafs, 4-2, as Mats Sundin led the way with a goal and an assist.

Simon Gagne had a goal and an assist while Mike Knuble added a goal for the Flyers, who had won their previous two games. Michael Leighton started in net for Philadelphia, but was pulled after giving up three goals on 12 shots. Antero Niittymaki finished up and made 19 saves.

Meanwhile, the Rangers are aiming for their fourth consecutive victory this afternoon. They handed the Carolina Hurricanes a 4-1 loss on Thursday, with Michael Nylander and Karel Rachunek each posting a goal and an assist.

Pascal Dupuis and Brendan Shanahan also scored for the Rangers, while Henrik Lundqvist made 23 saves for New York.

The Rangers are currently outside of the Eastern Conference playoff picture with 61 points and are trailing Toronto, Montreal and the New York Islanders by three points for the eighth and final postseason berth in the East.

The Blueshirts have dominated the Flyers in this year's season series, winning four of the five encounters. New York has also taken seven of the last 10 matchups, but Philly has walked away victorious in seven of its last nine trips to the Big Apple.

Skybppk Hockey Betting News

<< Mauresmo charges into Antwerp final; Clijsters still to play
Antwerp, Belgium (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Amelie Mauresmo will participate in her first WTA final of the year Sunday, vying for the diamond-studded racket trophy thanks to a hard-fought, three-set victory over seventh-seeded Anna Chakvetadze at the

<< Minoza holds tentative lead at suspended Indonesia Open
Jakarta, Indonesia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Frankie Minoza of the Philippines held a one-shot lead when the third round of the Indonesia Open was suspended Saturday due to inclement weather. Minoza was five-under par through 17 holes in h

<< Three share lead at Jacob's Creek Open
Lockleys, Australia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Scott Sterling and David Lutterus both fired rounds of six-under 66 Saturday to jump from 17th place into a tie for the lead at the Jacob's Creek Open Championship. Sterling and Lutterus were joined

<< Roddick into semifinals in San Jose
San Jose, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Top seed Andy Roddick fought off fellow American Vincent Spadea to move into the semifinals at the $416,000 SAP Open. Roddick, who titled here in 2004 and '05, topped the eighth-seeded Spadea, 6-3,

<< Creamer still tied for lead at SBS Open
Oahu, HI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Paula Creamer and Sherri Steinhauer both shot two- under 70 Friday to remain tied for the lead after two rounds of the SBS Open. Creamer and Steinhauer, part of a three-way tie for the lead after the first round

Reeling Thrashers resume rough road trip in Ottawa >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Atlanta Thrashers will try to turn around their dismal start to February this afternoon, when they face the streaking Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place. The Thrashers are just 1-5-1 this month and have dropped

Sabres look to continue home dominance of Bruins >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Buffalo Sabres continue what's been a successful homestand thus far when the Eastern Conference leaders entertain the rival Boston Bruins tonight at HSBC Arena. Buffalo has won the first three tests of this

Cold Canadiens host Panthers in key Eastern showdown >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two teams trying desperately to hang on in the Eastern Conference playoff race will face off tonight at the Bell Centre, where the fading Montreal Canadiens host the Carolina Panthers in a key showdown. Montreal is

Islanders, Devils ready for important divisional clash >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Islanders will try to end their recent lack of success against the New Jersey Devils when the Atlantic Division inhabitants square off this evening at Nassau Coliseum. New York has lost four straight times

Leafs hope to end home woes as Oilers invade Toronto >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - An important interconference encounter between playoff hopefuls takes place tonight in Toronto, where the Maple Leafs welcome the Edmonton Oilers to the Air Canada Centre. Both clubs currently stand on the frin

Pro Football Odds : NFC SOUTH BETTING ODDS

NFL Sports Betting

NFL betting action is back! At MySportsbook, all of the pro football odds are posted for the NFC North. Check out how we see the four teams in this cloudy division stacking up this year in the chase for the playoffs! Green Bay Packers (+125) - With QB Aaron Rodgers leading the offense and DC Dom Capers working his magic on defense, the Packers are a real force to be reckoned with.

Virtually nothing changed on this offense for Green Bay from last year to this year, save for the addition of rookie OT Brian Bulaga to the bunch. Expect more huge numbers from the Pack, and a relatively favorable schedule should get them over the hump and into the playoffs once again this season. My NFL Betting Predictions: 11-5, 1st place in NFC North Minnesota Vikings (+130) - There are still too many unknowns about the Vikes this year. There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not.

There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win.

Chicago Bears (+350) - The Bears are probably a bit of an overhyped team once again this year.No, we don't think it is plausible for QB Jay Cutler to have as bad of a season as he did last year, and we do think the additions of RB Chester Taylor and DE Julius Peppers are going to help immensely, but there's still something in the water in the Windy City that we aren't so sure about. Maybe Chicago finds its way to .500... but then again, maybe it doesn't. If Favre comes back, Cutler might be the worst quarterback in this division this year.

Detroit Lions (+1500) - The Lions are probably once again going to be the whipping boys for the rest of the teams in the NFC North, but they aren't just going to roll over and die once again. There is some real talent amassing on this team offensively, as the combination of QB Matt Stafford, RB Jahvid Best, WR Calvin Johnson, and TE Brandon Pettigrew should put a bunch of points on the board if the offensive line can even remotely hold up. The questions really lie on defense, where it feels like DT Ndamukong Suh is going to be trying to stop opposing teams all by himself. This year should show some marked improvement in the Motor City.

The Patriots will make NFL betting fans a lot of money this season, get in early and enjoy the cash.

NFL Betting

To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.