Blue Jackets continue playoff quest versus Lightning

Hockey Betting Lines

03/24/2009 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Columbus Blue Jackets will continue the quest for the franchise's first-ever playoff berth when they visit the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight at St. Pete Times Forum.

The Blue Jackets have never qualified for the postseason since entering the league as an expansion club for the 2000-01 campaign. With a franchise-record 82 points, Columbus is currently sixth in the West and five points ahead of eighth-seeded Nashville for the conference's final playoff spot.

Columbus has helped its postseason chances recently, as it has won two straight and six of its last seven games.

The Blue Jackets were last in action Saturday at Florida and recorded a 3-1 decision. Raffi Torres scored twice late in the third period as Columbus came from behind to defeat the Panthers, 3-1, at BankAtlantic Center.

Antoine Vermette added a late empty-net goal for the Blue Jackets and has registered eight points (5 goals, 3 assists) in seven games since coming over from Ottawa at the trade deadline. The veteran forward has combined for 14 goals and 36 points in 69 games with the Jackets and Senators this season.

Rookie Steve Mason stopped 22 shots to improve to 30-17-3 on the year.

Columbus has won three straight on the road and is closing out a two-game tour of the Sunshine State tonight. The Blue Jackets are just 15-17-4 as the visiting team this season.

With 62 points, the 14th-seeded Lightning are headed for a second straight season without a spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Tampa has not fared well in the spoiler role recently, as the club has dropped three straight and seven of its last nine games.

However, the Lightning have managed to record a point in five of their last six, posting a 2-1-3 record over that stretch.

The Bolts were handed a shootout loss their last time out, losing Saturday's 4-3 decision to visiting Atlanta. Slava Kozlov scored the first goal of the game and netted the winner in the shootout, as the Thrashers edged Tampa Bay, 4-3, at the Forum.

After the first three shooters in the extra segment were turned away, Kozlov fired a wrister past the stick side of Karri Ramo. Martin St. Louis was then stopped by Johan Hedberg to end the game.

Steven Stamkos lit the lamp twice, while Vaclav Prospal had the other goal for the Lightning. Ramo turned aside 33 shots for Tampa Bay, which fell to 3-10 this season in shootouts.

St. Louis recorded an assist in the loss and has reached the scoresheet in eight straight games, notching five goals and six helpers during the run. Stamkos, meanwhile, has four goals and two assists during a five-game point streak.

The Lightning have gone winless (0-1-2) on a four-game homestand that ends tonight. Tampa has lost six in a row on home ice and is just 11-15-11 as the host this season.

Columbus has won two of the last three meetings with the Lightning, but has just one win in four all-time trips to Tampa. The clubs last met at the Forum on January 13, 2006, when the Lightning recorded a 4-2 decision.

Wwwmsnmusic Hockey Betting News

<< Fading Habs try to halt longest slide of season versus Thrashers
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The free-falling Montreal Canadiens will try to end their longest losing streak of the season when they welcome the Atlanta Thrashers for tonight's battle at the Bell Centre. The Canadiens have lost five straight games to

<< Rangers host playoff-hopeful Wild
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Rangers will try to get back on the winning track when they welcome the Minnesota Wild for tonight's interconference clash at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers had won three straight and seven of nine games p

<< Capitals aim to get back in win column versus Maple Leafs
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The first-place Washington Capitals will try to avoid a second straight loss when they visit the Toronto Maple Leafs for tonight's battle at Air Canada Centre. The Capitals, who lead the Southeast Division with 96 points,

<< Oilers return home to battle powerful Red Wings
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Edmonton Oilers' recent road trip didn't end with the bang it began with. The team aims to get its offense back on track tonight, when it hosts the Central Division-champion Detroit Red Wings at Rexall Place. Edmonton

<< Canucks hoping to break through against slumping Stars
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Vancouver Canucks' road woes aren't likely to end in Dallas. The Canucks aim for just their second win in their last 10 games as the guest versus the Stars in tonight's battle at American Airlines Center. Although Vanc

Ducks, Predators meet for key matchup in Music City >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - While it's certainly no guarantee that the Anaheim Ducks will be making the playoffs this season, the club is making a strong case for inclusion with its recent play. Anaheim shoots for its fourth consecutive victory when

Blues continue playoff push in home test against Kings >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A crucial three-game homestand that could decide the St. Louis Blues' postseason fate begins with tonight's matchup with the slumping Los Angeles Kings. St. Louis enters this evening's tilt in 11th place in the tightly-bun

Clijsters set to announce comeback? >>
Brussels, Belgium (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former world No. 1 star Kim Clijsters has scheduled a Thursday news conference amid reports she is planning a comeback. The 25-year-old Belgian retired from the WTA Tour in May of 2007 in ord

Marlins' new stadium passes final vote >>
Miami, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Miami-Dade county commissioners finished a seemingly endless quest to build a baseball-only facility for the Florida Marlins, approving the plan for a 37,000-seat, retractable-roof stadium at the site of

Indians option seven, including Sowers, LaPorta >>
Goodyear, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cleveland Indians optioned seven players to their Triple-A affiliate in Columbus on Tuesday, including pitcher Jeremy Sowers and outfielder Matt LaPorta. The Indians also sent pitchers Greg Aquino

MySportsbook.com is one of the most efficient and professional online sportsbook today. While some sportsbooks only excel during the busiest seasons, MySportsbook is an excellent choice for the player who wants year-round quality. From their baseball true dime line to their interactive wagering, MySportsbook makes sure their clients would miss them if they went elsewhere.

Players won’t find any novelties at this sportsbook. The site is clean and simple and most importantly, fast. Customer Service handles matters in an expedient manner and accounting does everything possible to assure players that they have full control of their funds. The online banking center is open 24/7 in which time Neteller payouts are processed.

Management’s background and understanding of sports gambling has helped make them pioneers in the online betting market. MySportsbook was the first betting site to offer sports wagering in the best form. Interactive wagering was first offered in 1997. Players who don’t stop wagering when the game begins consider this sportsbook a true asset.

Players who are looking for outstanding value, extensive wagering options and inexpensive payouts will appreciate what MySportsbook.com offers. Those who are looking for perks and high bonuses would be best suited in a sportsbook geared towards the regular player.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your sports betting needs.