Forsberg to make debut as Avs host Canucks

Hockey Betting Lines

03/04/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The turnstile that is the Avalanche's active roster continues to turn. Though down two players, Colorado will have Peter Forsberg on the ice tonight as it hosts the Vancouver Canucks at the Pepsi Center.

Forsberg participated in his first full-team practice on Monday since signing a one-year contract last Monday to play with Colorado through the rest of this season. Colorado then announced today that Forsberg will make his season debut in this evening's test.

The 34-year-old Forsberg spent the first nine years of his career with the Quebec/Colorado franchise, and is fourth on the club's all-time scoring list with 741 points on 216 goals and 525 assists. He split last season with Philadelphia and Nashville and has been plagued by foot and ankle problems over the last few years.

Forsberg's return should help compensate for the losses of Ryan Smyth and Marek Svatos, who were both injured in Saturday's 5-2 victory over Los Angeles.

Smyth scored two goals before leaving the game on a stretcher with 28.5 ticks left in the second frame after Los Angeles defenseman Jack Johnson drove Smyth hard into the glass at the end of the Colorado bench. Smyth, who missed time earlier this year because of a fractured ankle, was moving his arms prior to being taken off the ice on a stretcher. He was transported to a local hospital where, after CT scan results on his head were negative, he was released.

Svatos, meanwhile, suffered a knee injury in the second period and did not return. Both he and Smyth are out indefinitely. Smyth has 14 goals and 19 assists in 45 games this season, while Svatos has 26 scores and 11 assists in 62 games.

Ruslan Salei posted a goal and an assist, Joe Sakic and Andrew Brunette also scored and Jordan Leopold collected three assists for the Avalanche, who have won three straight for the first time since January 12-15. Jose Theodore made 23 saves to pick up the win.

Colorado, tied with Nashville and Vancouver for the final two playoff spots in the West, halted a four-game home losing streak with the win. Tonight is the second portion of a four-game residency, and the club is 19-11-2 at the Pepsi Center this year.

Vancouver has lost its last three games, including Sunday's 4-1 setback versus Chicago. Ryan Kesler had the lone tally for Vancouver, which had posted at least a point in its previous eight games (5-0-3).

Roberto Luongo turned aside 22-of-26 shots before he was lifted for Curtis Sanford in the third period. Sanford was tested just twice the rest of the way.

Both the Canucks and Avalanche are five points behind Minnesota for first place in the Northwest Division.

Vancouver had a three-game road winning streak halted in the loss to Chicago and is 15-12-5 as the visiting club this year.

Colorado has won its last three games against Vancouver, five of eight and eight of the last 13. The Avs have won four of their last six against the Canucks at the Pepsi Center.

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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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