Rafalski's OT tally lifts Detroit over Buffalo

Hockey Betting Lines

03/13/2010 - Detroit, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Brian Rafalski's power-play goal 31 seconds into overtime gave Detroit a 3-2 win over Buffalo at Joe Louis Arena.

Buffalo's Tyler Myers was called for delay of game late in regulation and the penalty carried over to the extra session. Nicklas Lidstrom had the puck in the high slot and slid a backhand pass to the left circle where Rafalski cranked a one-timer through a screen and past Ryan Miller for the win.

Pavel Datsyuk and Patrick Eaves each had a goal for the Red Wings, who have won four of their last five. Jimmy Howard made 24 stops in the win.

The win enabled Detroit to move one-point ahead of idle Calgary for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Jochen Hecht scored both goals while Tim Connolly and Jason Pominville each got two assists for the Sabres, who have dropped their past two. Miller finished with 34 saves.

Buffalo continues to hold down the top spot in the Northeastern Division and third overall slot in the Eastern Conference.

The Red Wings grabbed the lead just 2:02 into the game on Datsyuk's 21st tally of the season.

Just 1:13 later, Eaves made it a 2-0 game as he grabbed the puck in the neutral zone, skated down the left wing, got past his defender and from a knee chipped the puck over Miller.

Buffalo, though, got a goal back at the 7:02 mark of the frame. Pominville blasted a shot on net from the right point that was stopped, but the rebound was left out by Howard and Hecht was there to backhand it home.

The Sabres tied the game 5:30 into the second. After a Connolly shot left a rebound in the slot, Pominville grabbed it and dropped it back to Hecht, who wristed it home from just inside the left circle.

Game Notes

Buffalo continues its five-game road trip in Atlanta on Tuesday...Detroit takes a three-game road swing in Canada starting in Calgary on Monday...Detroit has won four of the last five against Buffalo...Detroit went 1-for-4 on the power play while Buffalo was 0-for-3.

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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.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.