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.

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Matt Kenseth And Kevin Harvick Favorites To Take NASCAR Nextel Cup Championship

(September 15)—The NASCAR season has hit the homestretch with the opening event on this year’s Chase for the Cup taking place this weekend at the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway. With 10 races remaining to determine the Cup Series champion, leading online sportsbook MySportsbook.com today announced odds on all 10 Chase qualifying drivers capturing the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship.

One of the largest sportsbook sites on the Internet, MySportsbook.com currently lists the top two drivers in the point standings as the early favorites to win the Nextel Cup. Entering the Chase for the Cup with a slim five-point lead in the point standings, 2003 NASCAR champ Matt Kenseth has been made a slight favorite to win his second Cup at 7/2 betting odds. 2001 Cup Rookie of the Year Kevin Harvick has betting odds listed at 5/2 and four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon is listed at 6/1 to capture the Nextel Cup this year.

Hoping to follow in the footsteps of his legendary father who won six NASCAR titles, Dale Earnhardt Jr. stands at 8/1 to breakthrough with his first Cup victory. Staying with the family theme, MySportsbook.com lists 2005 Rookie of the Year Kyle Busch at 14/1 to succeed big brother Kurt’s 2004 NASCAR title. While Kasey Kahne was the final driver to qualify for the Chase with a third place finish last week, the oddsmakers give him a fighting chance at 10/1 mainly due to several mile-and-a-half tracks remaining on the schedule. Despite going winless on the NASCAR circuit this season, Jeff Burton enters the Chase at 5/1 to capture the Cup title. Meanwhile, rookie Denny Hamlin is 4/1 to win the championship, while veteran driver Mark Martin enters the Chase for the Cup as a 15/1 long shot to win his first NASCAR title in his 24th and final season.

MySportsbook.com will offer comprehensive Nascar betting lines on every race remaining on the Nextel Cup series including driver match-ups, props and odds to win each race. For a complete list of NASCAR odds, please visit www.MySportsbook.com.

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