11/20/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Needless to say, Washington's Alex Ovechkin has put his slow start behind him. The NHL's reigning leading scorer with aim to extend his point streak to six games tonight, as the Capitals visit the Los Angeles Kings and the Staples Center.
Ovechkin posted 65 goals and 112 points last season, but managed only five points through his first nine games. However, the Russian playmaker has posted six goals and eight assists over his last five games while also recording at least two points a game in that span. That multi-point streak is tied with Dennis Maruk (1980-81) for the longest such run in team history.
Ovechkin is coming off a four-point game, as he posted a goal and three assists in a 6-4 victory over Anaheim on Wednesday, Washington's sixth in seven games. The Capitals have notched at least a point in eight straight games (6-0-2), their best run since going 10-0 with a pair of ties from January 28-February 24, 2001.
Making his third straight start for an injury Brent Johnson, Jose Theodore stopped 28-of-32 shots in the win. Nicklas Backstrom had a goal to push his points streak to six games, amassing three goals and 10 assists in that span.
Mike Green scored and had an assist before leaving in the first period with a right shoulder injury. Green's goal was his seventh of the season, as he led all NHL defenseman last year with 18 goals. However, his injury, which has him questionable for tonight, is just the latest for a Caps club that also has Shaone Morrisonn (groin), Sergei Fedorov (ankle), Johnson (hip) and Alexander Semin (upper body) hurting.
Semin has missed the last two games and was key for Washington during Ovechkin's early-season struggles. Semin leads the Capitals with 13 goals and 27 points and is tied with Ovechkin and Backstrom with a club-high 14 assists.
The Capitals are 1-0-1 on a five-game road trip to push their record as the visiting club to 4-4-2.
The Kings are one of only three NHL clubs that Ovechkin has never scored against. They would like that trend to continue tonight, though Ovechkin does have three assists in his two career tests against them.
Los Angeles was blanked by the Ducks, 2-0, on Sunday, and has been outscored 5-1 over a two-game slide that follows four straight wins. The Kings failed to get any of their 29 shots by Anaheim's Jonas Hiller, while LA's Erik Ersberg made 24 saves, as the Kings were shut out for the fourth time this year.
Ersberg, the first Swedish goaltender in Kings history, has still been a solid contributor for Los Angeles this year. He is 4-3-1 with a 1.96 goals against average in nine games this year and a start tonight would be his first against the Capitals.
Anze Kopitar has a goal and five assists over his last six games. He leads LA with 11 assists and 13 points this year and has scored in his only other game versus the Capitals.
The Kings have won three of their last four at home and are 5-5-2 overall at the Staples Center this year. However, Washington has won three of its last four trips to LA and two straight in the series overall.
The two clubs haven't met in the City of Angels since December 14, 2005.
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American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout
An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.
Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off. Randy was not impressed though. Paula thought he started off fantastic. "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either.
Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed. Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact. He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition.
Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula. Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.
Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next. Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential. Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell. He sang "Careless Whisper".
22 year old Chris Richardson was up next. He was listed with +1100 odds coming in. He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great.
Nick was boring and pitchy. Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week. Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition.
Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds . These of course were the early odds. He was considered original for picking an "odd song". He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night.
Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good.
Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds. Great voice and a great sense of humor. He's a real standout. Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit. Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig".
Jared Cotter followed. He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition. The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good.
22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next. "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon. Though the judges felt he performed okay. Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.
Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition. He was the last to perform. He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start.
Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys. Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.
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