Habs hope to stay hot against Oilers

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03/11/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Montreal Canadiens continue their push for a postseason berth when the surging club continues its current homestand with tonight's bout against the Edmonton Oilers from the Bell Centre.

Montreal has won its last three games and is 4-1-0 since returning from the Olympic break. That outstanding stretch has put the Canadiens into seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings at the moment, two behind Philadelphia for the No. 6 spot and two ahead of rival Boston in the pecking order.

The Habs continued their strong play with Tuesday's 5-3 triumph over Tampa Bay in the opener of this three-game residency. Mathieu Darche scored twice and Scott Gomez recorded a goal and two assists to lead the offense, while Jaroslav Halak made 28 saves in a solid showing between the pipes.

"It's a big win for us after playing four games on the road," Darche said afterward. "The two goals were extra nice for me."

Gomez has had a big part in Montreal's recent spark, as the veteran centerman has notched five goals and 10 assists over his last 11 games.

The Canadiens can match their longest winning streak of the season with a victory over the rebuilding Oilers, who enter tonight's clash with an NHL-low 48 points and are a dismal 8-21-2 on the road for the season. Edmonton has dropped 13 of its last 14 tests as the guest.

The Oilers had began a string of three straight home outings with back-to-back wins over Minnesota and New Jersey, but were handed a 4-1 loss by Ottawa on Tuesday in the finale of the stand. The Senators scored three times in the third period to break open a tie game.

Goaltender Jeff Deslauriers compiled 35 saves for Edmonton, which was outshot by a 39-19 margin for the night. Fernando Pisani netted the lone Oilers goal early in the second period.

"J.D. played great to keep us in it," Edmonton center Sam Gagner said of Deslauriers. "If we're not disciplined, it's tough to bring it back. We have to try and get better."

The Oilers may be without one of their leading scorers for this evening's matchup after forward Patrick O'Sullivan left Tuesday's loss after being slashed on his left hand in the opening period. The 25-year-old wing, who has posted 10 goals and 21 assists in 65 games this season, is considered questionable to dress tonight.

O'Sullivan had a goal in the Oilers' 3-2 verdict over the Canadiens in Edmonton back on October 10, the team's second win in its last three encounters with the Habs. Montreal has taken two straight and four of the last five meetings between the clubs held at the Bell Centre, however.

Wwhangame Hockey Betting News

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FOOTBALL BETTING : Cassel Signs Contract

Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.

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After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

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