Nabokov helps Sharks hold off Rangers

Hockey Betting Lines

12/21/2008 - San Jose, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Evgeni Nabokov made 32 saves and the Sharks remained unbeaten in regulation at home this season with a 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers.

Patrick Marleau, Dan Boyle and Ryane Clowe scored for the Sharks, who moved to 17-0-2 at home this season and 25-0-3 in their last 28 as the host dating back to last year. Their run of points in 28 straight home games is nine shy of the NHL record of 37 games that was set by the Montreal Canadiens in 1976-77 and 1977-78 (31-0 with 6 ties).

It was just their fifth win ever over the Rangers, beating them for the first time since October 22, 2001.

San Jose, coming off a 6-0 loss at Detroit, avoided dropping its third in a row for the first time this season. The Sharks lead the NHL with 55 points and are 26-4-3 on the season.

"Nabby played great tonight," said San Jose's Joe Thornton. "That's the reason we won. He needs to steal some games, and he stole this game tonight for us."

Thursday's loss to the Red Wings snapped San Jose's 15-game point streak (12-0-3), but two nights later they rode Nabokov's impressive showing as he stopped all 17 shots that came his way in the third period.

Nikolai Zherdev and Ryan Callahan had the goals for the Rangers, while Henrik Lundqvist made 27 saves. New York had its three-game win streak broken.

Callahan's goal midway through the second on a rebound brought the Rangers within 3-2, and even though they constantly pressured the San Jose zone in the third period, Nabokov was equal to the task.

That included the Sharks killing off a Joe Pavelski hooking penalty for two minutes to start the third.

Boyle scored during a two-man advantage 4:27 into the game on a one-timer from the left circle. Clowe scored 25 seconds later from the right side of the net.

"Tough to start the game 5-on-3 and they get two quick goals there," said Lundqvist. "But we really regrouped there and came back and the third was really good. Unfortunately we couldn't tie the game but we played really well I think."

Zherdev netted one shorthanded at the 10:34 mark of the first on a blast from the left circle, but Marleau scored 6:20 into the second on a shot from below the right circle.

Game Notes

The Rangers went 0-for-2 on the power play, while the Sharks were 2- for-5...New York hosts Washington on Tuesday, while San Jose's next game is also Tuesday, at home versus Vancouver.

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Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends

We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS.  Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned.  For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go.  As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190).  Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”.   By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet.  For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction.  On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later.  Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick.  Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com

New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors

Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
 New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season. 
 
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls

Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times. 
 
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons

Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season. 
 
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers

In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS. 
 
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”.  With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit.  Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.

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