Service Plays Thursday 10/7/10

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[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Nebraska At Kansas State: What Bettors Need To Know

Nebraska Cornhuskers at Kansas State Wildcats (+12, 51.5)

How good is Nebraska? That’s the question facing handicappers Thursday night, when the unbeaten, yet unproven Cornhuskers head to Manhattan to face Kansas State.

You could ask the same question about Bill Snyder’s Wildcats, who also sit at 4-0, thanks to a marshmallow-soft early schedule.

Kansas State (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) is certainly better than what most expected. The Wildcats returned only 11 starters and were picked near the bottom of the Big 12 North. Their surprising start has been bolstered by a premier running game, led by running back Daniel Thomas, an NFL prospect, and four returning starters on the offensive line. Thomas is fifth in the nation in rushing, averaging 157 yards. Senior quarterback Carson Coffman has been solid, but unspectacular. Carson is throwing for only 161 yards per game.

But it’s hard to believe too much in Kansas State, owner of a defense allowing nearly 200 rushing yards per game. That’s bad news, as the Huskers boast the nation’s fourth-ranked rushing offense.

No. 6 Nebraska (4-0, 0-0) has been explosive, running its spread-option attack with quarterback Taylor Martinez and running backs Roy Helu and Rex Burkhead. The Huskers are averaging 309 yards rushing 40 points a game. But, again, when you’re schedule consists of Western Kentucky, Idaho, Washington and South Dakota State, how meaningful are those stats?

We’ll find out Thursday.

THE LINE

The Cornhuskers opened as 12-point favorites. You could find a few -11.5s Wednesday morning, but there weren’t any significant early line movements.

Nebraska is 4-0 against the spread this season and 8-1 ATS in its last nine games as a road favorite of 10.5 or more.

Kansas State is nothing special as a home dog, going 8-7 ATS in that situation over the last 10 seasons.

THE TOTAL

The total opened around 51, with a few 51.5s available Wednesday.

Nebraska is averaging 40 points and allowing 12.75. Kansas State is averaging 30.75 and allowing 19.75.

The under is 13-6 in Nebraska’s last 19 games. The over is 10-2 in the teams’ last 12 meetings.

Weather is not expected to be a factor, with clear skies and temperatures in the 70s forecast.

Last year: Nebraska 17, Kansas State 3

The Wildcats covered as 16.5-point underdogs last November in Lincoln. Kansas State’s defense limited Nebraska to just 267 yards of offense. The Wildcats squandered two second-half scoring chances but were in the game.

QUARTERBACK MATCHUP

In the first four starts of his career, Martinez has been sensational running the Husker option. He leads the team in rushing with 496 yards and eight touchdowns. But he has not been forced to beat a team through the air. He’s attempting only 14 passes a game and has two touchdowns and three interceptions.

Coffman hasn’t put up prolific passing numbers by any means, either. He’s thrown five touchdowns with two interceptions. The senior needs to be smart with football. Nebraska’s secondary is talented. The Huskers lead the nation in pass efficiency defense.

INJURIES

Nebraska has issues at linebacker, which is a concern against K-State’s ground game. Will Compton and Sean Fisher, two starting linebackers, are not expected to play. Fisher broke his leg against Western Kentucky in Week 1. Compton has been battling a foot injury and is listed as doubtful.

There’s better news on Husker offensive line, where starting tackle Marcel Jones is making his season debut after dealing with a back injury for the first month of the season.

Kansas State isn’t reporting any significant injuries.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Thursday Best NCAA Bet

Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Kansas State Wildcats (+11.5, 50)
(4-0, 1-2-1 ATS) (4-0, 2-2 ATS)

A pair of undefeated teams will square off at Bill Snyder Family Stadium on Thursday night in an absolutely crucial Big XII North NCAA football betting affair between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Kansas State Wildcats. The winner of this game will put the loser in a world of hurt in terms of the Big XII North race, as they will be a game down and the tiebreaker versus the winner.

For the Cornhuskers, they haven’t been winning games in the prettiest of fashions this year, but wins are wins, and HC Bo Pelini certainly isn’t complaining any. Even though he prefers to run more of a pro style offense, Pelini has no problems letting freshman QB Taylor Martinez do his thing. Though Martinez isn’t quite ripe as a thrower yet, his legs have gotten him out of a lot of trouble this season. There is no doubt that he is one of the fastest players on the team, and at times he brings back some memories of Tommy Frazier from the glory days of Nebraska football. Martinez has rushed for 496 yards and thrown for another 532 more, totaling ten TDs on the season. The defense is going to be crucial on Thursday night, though. This unit ranks No. 3 in the country in pass defense at 126.2 yards per game, and those numbers might get even better this weekend against a relatively weak KSU passing game. The team hasn’t allowed more than 21 points to any foe this season and has really kept everyone under wraps for a second straight year.

The Wildcats might be 4-0 this year, but they haven’t exactly been the most impressive team in the bunch. The opening week win against the UCLA Bruins is looking better and better as the weeks go by, as does the victory two weeks ago against the Iowa State Cyclones after they upset the Texas Tech Red Raiders last week. Getting a week and a half to prepare for this test is crucial, especially for workhorse RB Daniel Thomas. This young man just continues to take a beating every time he carries the ball, and the ‘Huskers are bound to make him pay for going into the middle of their defense time in and time out. Thomas already has 105 carries for the year, but he is rushing at a clip of 6.0 yards per carry and has really single handedly put this team on his back at times. The ‘D’ has forced a plethora of turnovers, which is why KSU is still undefeated. The worst defensive outing of the year in terms of scoring was against lowly Missouri State, who scored 24 points.

Don’t be overly shocked if Nebraska just comes out and rumbles through the Wildcats. Big Red has won five straight in this series SU and is 3-2 ATS to show for it. Last year’s 17-3 win at home was courtesy of an offense that was anemic. Martinez won’t let any defense this year that isn’t absolutely top notch keep the Cornhuskers down. That means you too, Kansas State.

Selection: Nebraska Cornhuskers -11.5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Payoff Pitch: Thursday's Best MLB Mound Matchup

Andy Pettitte, New York Yankees vs. Carl Pavano, Minnesota Twins

Andy Pettitte (11-3, 3.28 ERA)

They don’t call Andy Pettitte "Mr. October," but maybe they should.

Pettitte is the winningest pitcher baseball postseason history with 18 victories. His career playoff statistics include an 18-9 record, a 3.90 ERA, a 1.33 WHIP, and 164 strikeouts in 249 innings. During New York's run to last year's World Series title, Pettitte compiled a perfect 4-0 mark and a 3.52 ERA in five starts.

At 38 years old, Pettitte is going full steam ahead in 2010. En route to his 11-3 record and impressive 3.28 ERA, he faced the Twins twice, going 2-0 with a minuscule 1.26 ERA.

A significant question mark, however, is that Pettitte dealt with groin and back problems throughout the second half of the year. He is just the seventh MLB pitcher since 1952 to start a postseason game after throwing less than 20 innings as a starter following the All-Star break.

Pettitte posted an 11-10 over/under mark during the regular season, including 6-2 in his last eight starts.

Carl Pavano (17-11, 3.75 ERA)

When the Yankees look across the diamond and see Carl Pavano hurling against them, they will probably be wondering what they were missing when he was part of the team between 2005 and 2008. Crushed by injuries, Pavano made just 26 starts in for years and missed the entire 2006 season. Let's just say that in his "best" year with New York in 2005, he went 4-6 with a 4.77 ERA!

Armed with a clean bill of health, Pavano is not making the Twins regret their acquisition of him in 2009. This season, the 34-year-old has struck out 117 batters against only 37 walks in 221 innings to go along with his 17-11 record and 3.75 ERA.

"I can't tell you how good it feels to be counted on again," Pavano told the USA Today. That’s something the Yankees could never do. In fact, Pavano was dubbed "American Idle" during his tenure in the Big Apple.

Pavano finished the regular season with a 14-17 over/under clip, including 4-1 in his last five starts.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NLDS Preview And Pick: Braves vs. Giants

Can Bobby Cox take another step towards his second championship or will San Francisco’s starting pitching put them over the top?

Odds provided by PinnacleSports

SERIES ODDS: San Francisco Giants (-160) vs. Atlanta Braves (+147)

OFFENSE

Atlanta ranks fifth in the National League in runs per game (4.6) and leads the league in doubles and on-base percentage.

The Braves caught a bad break last week when they learned Martin Prado would miss the remainder of the season with a hip pointer and a torn oblique. Prado was batting .307 with 15 long balls for Atlanta, which ranks 11th in homers in the NL.

Jason Heyward and Brian McCann have been the two main power sources for the Braves, combining for 39 of Atlanta’s 139 home runs. Heyward, a favorite for the NL Rookie of the Year, has made a big splash in his first big league season, belting 18 homers and leading the Braves with an .849 OPS.

Not to be outdone, the Giants have a phenom of their own in Buster Posey. Posey has piled up 67 RBI in just 406 at-bats and is Heyward’s main competition for the Rookie of the Year award.

General Manager Brian Sabean made one of the shrewdest signings of the offseason when he inked Aubrey Huff to one-year deal worth $3 million. Huff leads the Giants in homers (26), RBI (86), on-base percentage (.385) and slugging percentage (.506).

The Braves will miss Prado, but are still better with the bats. The Giants rank ninth in the National League in runs scored and are batting just .197 in seven games against the Braves this season.

Edge: Braves

PITCHING

If the Giants make a World Series push, it will be their starting pitching depth that gets them there. San Francisco will go with an impressive four-man rotation of Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez and rookie Madison Bumgarner. The Giants’ staff led the majors with a 3.36 ERA and was lights out down the stretch, posting an almost-unfathomable 1.78 ERA in the month of September.

Atlanta will send Derek Lowe to the mound in Game 1, followed by Tommy Hanson and Tim Hudson. Hudson (17-9, 2.83) had a solid season for the Braves but pitched poorly over his last seven starts, going 2-4 and allowing four or more runs on five occasions. The series may hinge on Hudson’s ability to bounce back from his lackluster finish.

Both the Giants (2.99) and Braves (3.11) finished in the top three in baseball in bullpen ERA. Brian Wilson has been a bulldog at the back of San Francisco’s pen, leading the majors with a career-high 48 saves. Billy Wagner blew seven saves this season for the Braves, but was strong down the stretch. The run Wagner gave up in Atlanta’s regular-season finale was the first he had allowed since August 11. Wagner’s 1.43 ERA was the third-lowest in baseball among qualified relievers.

The Braves’ staff is formidable but the Giants have as much rotational depth as any team in baseball. They get the nod.

Edge: Giants

INTANGIBLES

Both teams waited until the final day of the regular season to lock up a playoff berth, but the Giants played better baseball down the stretch. Since September 1, San Francisco is 19-10 while the Braves are just 14-16.

The Braves won four of seven meetings between the teams in 2010, averaging four runs per game to the Giants’ three.

Atlanta has rallied around Bobby Cox and wants desperately to send the legendary skipper out a winner. We think that extra bit of motivation, along with the offensive shortcomings of the Giants, is enough to get the Braves through to the next round.

Edge: Braves

Pick: Braves in five games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

HOT LINES

Thursday’s Best MLB Bets

Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Devil Rays (-138 )

It's not often that you see a pitcher with a 13-15 record and 5.18 ERA take the mound for Game 2 of a playoff series. However, Tampa Bay's James Shield has been terrible on the road this season and manager Joe Maddon wants him going at home. That could spell trouble against a Texas team that scored 787 runs this year, fifth most in the Major Leagues (Tampa Bay was third).

Meanwhile, Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton, who belted 32 homers and drove in 100 runs despite playing in just 133 games, was sidelined for 24 games in September due to a rib injury. But he returned for the final weekend against Los Angeles and is not about to miss any playoff action.

"It's just that time of year," Hamilton said in an interview at Tropicana Field prior to Game 1. "You suck it up, you get after it, because I want to be in there for me teammates. I want to be in the lineup. I've been there most of the year with them through everything we've gone through together to get to this point. I'm going to be out there with them."

Shields will be opposed by C.J. Wilson, who went 15-8 with a 3.35 ERA during the regular season.

Pick: Over


Atlanta Braves at San Francisco Giants (-153, 6.5)

Noboby could have predicted seeing these two batting lineups in a playoff game when the season started way back in the spring. The Giants were supposed to feature Mark DeRosa, Benjie Molina, and Aaron Rowand. Instead, they are now being led by Buster Posey, Pat Burrell, Andres Torres, and Freddy Sanchez.

When the Braves beat Philadelphia last Sunday en route to clinching the wild card, only two of the eight position players in the starting lineup had started on opening day. Chipper Jones is gone; Martin Prado is gone; Yunel Escobar is gone, just to name a few. Enter Derrek Lee, Brooks Conrad, and Alex Gonzalez, among many others.

"It helps when you have the starting pitching that we've had all year and you've got the seventh-, eighth- and ninth-inning bullpen that we've had all year," Jones said of the constant offensive reshuffling. "That helps a lot. That overshadows a lack of offense here and there."

Speaking of a lack of offense, Atlanta is going up against Tim Lincecum on Thursday. Lincecum won’t be winning a third straight Cy Young Award, but he still went 16-10 with a 3.43 ERA during the regular season.

Pick: SF Giants

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Western Conference Team-By-Team Preview Capsules

Team-By-Team Capsules For The Western Conference, Listed In 2009-10 Season Order Of Finish:

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

LAST SEASON: 52-22-2-6, 112 points. Beat Philadelphia 4-2 to win Stanley Cup.

COACH: Joel Quenneville, 3rd season with Blackhawks, 97-44-19; 14th overall, 535-327-137 in NHL.

ADDED: RW Joey Crabb, LW Jeremy Morin, LW Viktor Stalberg, C Philippe Paradis, C Christopher DiDomenico, D Ivan Vishnevskiy, D John Scott, C Jeff Taffe, G Marty Turco, RW Fernando Pisani, C Ryan Potulny.

LOST: RW Dustin Byfuglien, LW Ben Eager, D Brent Sopel, C Colin Fraser, RW Kris Versteeg, LW Andrew Ladd, C Adam Burish, C John Madden, G Antti Niemi, D Kim Johnsson.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Marty Turco. The veteran goalie, seeking his first Stanley Cup title, joins the defending champions to replace Antti Niemi - one of several salary cap casualties.

ICING: The Blackhawks had only a few days to celebrate their title before reality set in and several players - including postseason star Dustin Byfuglien - were sent away as salary was shed from the cap. With Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews still performing as a dynamic duo, the Blackhawks will be a definite threat to repeat.

DETROIT REDWINGS

LAST SEASON: 44-24-5-9, 102 points. Lost to San Jose 4-1 in conference semifinals.

COACH: Mike Babcock, 6th season with Red Wings, 257-101-52; 8th overall, 326-163-85 in NHL.

ADDED: G Joey MacDonald, C Mike Modano, D Ruslan Salei.

LOST: D Brett Lebda, D Andreas Lilja, LW Brad May, C Jason Williams.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Mike Modano. After several seasons languishing in Dallas, the 40-year-old Stars forward leaves the franchise that drafted him in 1988 for a shot at a second Stanley Cup title.

ICING: The Red Wings come in under the radar after a one-year break from the Stanley Cup finals. But with a healthy roster and a longer than usual summer to recharge the batteries, Hockeytown might be ready for another run at a championship.

NASHVILLE PREDATORS

LAST SEASON: 47-29-2-4, 100 points. Lost to Chicago 4-2 in first round.

COACH: Barry Trotz, 12th season with Predators, 411-371-120; 11th overall in NHL.

ADDED: D Shane O'Brien, F Dan Gendur, LW Blake Geoffrion, RW Matt Halischuk, LW Sergei Kosyn, C Matthew Lombardi, C Jamie Lundmark, D Aaron Johnson.

LOST: C Jason Arnott, D Dan Hamhuis, C Dustin Boyd, G Dan Ellis, C Mike Santorelli, RW Ben Guite, D Denis Grebeshkov, C Dave Scatchard, LW Triston Grant.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Matthew Lombardi. Will be counted on to furnish another performance like last season with Phoenix, when he posted 19 goals and 53 points. With former captain Jason Arnott now with New Jersey, Lombardi is expected to step in as the Predators' top center.

ICING: Earning 100 points last season was only good enough for third in the Central. It might take just as many points to qualify for the playoffs again in a hotly contested and balanced conference.

SAINT LOUIS BLUES

LAST SEASON: 40-32-5-5, 90 points. Out of playoffs.

COACH: Davis Payne, 2nd season with Blues, 23-15-4; 1st overall in NHL.

ADDED: G Jaroslav Halak, C T.J. Hensick, C Vladimir Sobotka, D Dean Arsene.

LOST: D Darryl Sydor, C Keith Tkachuk, G Chris Mason, LW D.J. King, D Mike Weaver, LW Paul Kariya, C Lars Eller, C Derek Armstrong.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Jaroslav Halak. Away from the glaring spotlight of Montreal, the 25-year-old goalie has the opportunity to be the backbone of a club that appears to be on the rise.

ICING: Dropped from third to fourth in the Central, falling two points shy of its 92-point effort in the 2008-09 season. Davis Payne will be behind the bench for his first full season as an NHL head coach. The Blues will likely find themselves just outside of the playoff race again.

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

LAST SEASON: 32-35-5-10, 79 points. Out of playoffs.

COACH: Scott Arniel, 1st season with Blue Jackets; 1st overall in NHL.

ADDED: LW Ethan Moreau, D Nate Guenin, C Kyle Wilson, RW Ben Guite.

LOST: D Nathan Paetsch.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Steve Mason. Talk about a sophomore slump. Mason started the 2008-09 season in the minors but then came up and posted an NHL-best 10 shutouts en route to the Calder Trophy as league rookie of the year. Last season, his goals-against average went up nearly a goal over his rookie campaign and Columbus missed the playoffs.

ICING: The pressure is back on the Blue Jackets after they failed to qualify for the playoffs after the first appearance in franchise history. Rick Nash has shown that he is an elite player, but he needs to lift his team to bigger and better things in the playoffs.

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

LAST SEASON: 49-28-1-4, 103 points. Lost to Chicago 4-2 in conference semifinals.

COACH: Alain Vigneault, 5th season with Canucks, 182-114-32; 9th overall, 291-232-71 in NHL.

ADDED: D Ryan Parent, F Jonas Andersson, D Keith Ballard, RW Victor Oreskovich, D Dan Hamhuis, C Manny Malhotra, C Joel Perrault, LW Jeff Tambellini. LW Raffi Torres.

LOST: D Shane O'Brien, F Dan Gendur, G Andrew Raycroft, D Brad Lukowich, RW Pavol Demitra, D Willie Mitchell, RW Steve Bernier, RW Michael Grabner, C Ryan Johnson, LW Matt Pettinger, C Kyle Wellwood.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Henrik Sedin. Will face expectations of repeating his scoring title numbers of 113 points that earned him NHL MVP honors.

ICING: Always seemingly on the cusp of breaking through, the Canucks are again a popular pick to get to the Stanley Cup finals. With the Olympic hoopla in Vancouver now in the past, and the Canucks not facing a massive road trip as a result, this could be their time.

COLORADO AVALANCHE

LAST SEASON: 43-30-4-5, 95 points. Lost to San Jose 4-2 in first round.

COACH: Joe Sacco, 2nd season with Avalanche, 43-30-9; 2nd overall in NHL.

ADDED: LW Daniel Winnik.

LOST: D Brett Clark, RW Brian Willsie, C T.J. Hensick, LW Chris Durno, D Ruslan Salei, C Matt Hendricks, RW Marek Svatos, RW Darcy Tucker, C Stephane Yelle.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Matt Duchene. The rookie put up 55 points last season, helping the Avalanche make a surprise trip to the playoffs one season after posting the worst record in the Western Conference.

ICING: The Colorado kids are growing up quickly and are forming a fine nucleus that could be a tough core in the coming years. Took first step last season in getting to the playoffs, before being ousted by the regular season conference champs. But there is no guarantee that a second straight playoff appearance is in store.

CALGARY FLAMES

LAST SEASON: 40-32-3-7, 90 points. Out of playoffs.

COACH: Brent Sutter, 2nd season with Flames, 91-59-14; 3rd overall, 137-88-21 in NHL.

ADDED: G Henrik Karlsson, C Olli Jokinen, LW Alex Tanguay, RW Tim Jackman, LW Raitis Ivanans, C Ryan Stone.

LOST: LW Eric Nystrom, LW Chris Higgins, RW Jamal Mayers, LW Nigel Dawes, RW Brian McGrattan, G Vesa Toskala.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Jarome Iginla. The Flames captain scored only 32 goals last season, the fourth time in five seasons he didn't reach 40 goals.

ICING: Brent Sutter's club dropped eight points last season from the previous one, snapping Calgary's run of four straight playoff appearances.

MINNESOTA WILD

LAST SEASON: 38-36-1-7, 84 points. Out of playoffs.

COACH: Todd Richards, 2nd season with Wild, 38-36-8; 2nd overall in NHL.

ADDED: F Brad Staubitz, C Matt Cullen, LW Eric Nystrom, C John Madden.

LOST: LW Derek Boogaard, D John Scott, C Andrew Ebbett, C Andy Hilbert, D Jaime Sifers, D Shane Hnidy, RW Owen Nolan, D Nathan Smith, G Wade Dubielewicz.

PLAYER TO WATCH: John Madden. The intense center joins his third team in three seasons. He brings with him a championship resume that features three titles from stints with New Jersey and Chicago.

ICING: The Wild are quite a ways away from their conference championship appearance in 2003, and will need some time to rebuild.

EDMONTON OILERS

LAST SEASON: 27-47-2-6, 62 points. Out of playoffs.

COACH: Tom Renney, 1st season with Oilers; 8th overall, 203-170-55 in NHL.

ADDED: C Taylor Hall, LW Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson, C Colin Fraser, D Jim Vandermeer, D Kurtis Foster, LW Steve MacIntyre, LW Alexandre Giroux, D Shawn Belle, LW Gregory Stewart, G Martin Gerber.

LOST: LW Ethan Moreau, C Patrick O'Sullivan, C Marc-Antoine Pouliot, D Dean Arsene, RW Fernando Pisani, C Robert Nilsson, C Ryan Stone, D Aaron Johnson, C Mike Comrie, C Ryan Potulny.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Taylor Hall. The No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft is the first big piece in the rebuilding process for the Oilers, who finished last in the NHL in points.

ICING: Tom Renney takes over for coach Pat Quinn, who stepped aside to take a different position within the organization. Renney is a good teacher whose background is in talent evaluation and development. Edmonton will need that to get back to their traditional winning ways.

SAN JOSE SHARKS

LAST SEASON: 51-20-5-6, 113 points. Lost to Chicago 4-0 in conference finals.

COACH: Todd McLellan, 3rd season with Sharks, 104-18-11; 3rd overall in NHL.

ADDED: G Antero Niittymaki, RW Jamal Mayers, G Antti Niemi.

LOST: D Rob Blake, RW Brad Staubitz, C Manny Malhotra, G Evgeni Nabokov, RW Ryan Vesce, C Dwight Helminen, RW Jed Ortmeyer.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Antti Niemi. After being the Blackhawks' backbone in their run to the Stanley Cup title, Niemi has moved West to San Jose, which is still trying to get to the finals for the first time. A budding star, Niemi might be the perfect pick to replace longtime goalie Evgeni Nabokov.

ICING: The window for the Sharks is closing with each passing season. Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley have been through the grind many times during prolific careers that will seem a bit empty if San Jose can't at least find its way out of the Western playoffs.

PHOENIX COYOTES

LAST SEASON: 50-25-1-6, 107 points. Lost to Detroit 4-3 in first round.

COACH: Dave Tippett, 2nd season with Coyotes, 50-25-7; 8th season overall, 321-181-72 in NHL.

ADDED: D Oliver Ekman-Larsson, LW Ray Whitney, C Andrew Ebbett, C Eric Belanger.

LOST: LW Daniel Winnik, D Jim Vandermeer, C Petteri Nokelainen, C Matthew Lombardi, D Zbynek Michalek, C Joel Perrault, C Robert Lang, D Mathieu Schneider.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Ray Whitney. The longtime forward moved west after five seasons in Carolina. His veteran presence, along with the ability to still put up points, will be welcome additions to the young Coyotes.

ICING: The Coyotes fought through financial troubles and threats of relocation to make as improbable a trip to the playoffs as there was last season. With a potential new owner on the horizon, stability could be the next key factor that makes the Coyotes even more of a threat than last season when they pushed the Red Wings to seven games.

LOS ANGELES KINGS

LAST SEASON: 46-27-1-8, 101 points. Lost to Vancouver 4-2 in first round.

COACH: Terry Murray, 3rd season with Kings, 80-64-20; 14th overall, 440-341-120 in NHL.

ADDED: LW Alexei Ponikarovsky, D Willie Mitchell.

LOST: D Sean O'Donnell, LW Raitis Ivanans, LW Alexander Frolov, D Randy Jones, LW Fredrik Modin, C Jeff Halpern.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Drew Doughty. The defenseman is already a breakout star at age 20. His 59 points last season, his second in the NHL, ranked third among league defensemen. After winning an Olympic gold medal with Canada in Vancouver, Doughty became a finalist for the Norris Trophy, given to the NHL's top defenseman.

ICING: Will have to make up for the lost offense of Alexander Frolov, who left as a free agent, but the Kings are building a solid team from the back end out and will scare plenty of teams this season.

OREGON DUCKS

LAST SEASON: 39-32-3-8, 89 points. Out of playoffs.

COACH: Randy Carlyle, 6th season with Ducks, 219-139-52; 5th overall in NHL.

ADDED: D Toni Lydman, LW Aaron Voros, Ryan Hillier, LW Josh Green, D Danny Syvret, D Andy Sutton, D Paul Mara.

LOST: D Scott Niedermayer, D Steve Eminger, RW Mike Brown, D James Wisniewski, G Joey MacDonald, D Aaron Ward, D Nathan Oystrick, LW Kyle Calder.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Bobby Ryan. Fresh off a season in which he posted a career-high 61 points and played on the U.S. Olympic team, Ryan was rewarded with a five-year, $25.5 million deal.

ICING: The Big 3 of Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Ryan make this explosive offense churn. Jonas Hiller will need to be just as strong in goal if the Ducks are to contend for a playoff spot.

DALLAS STARS

LAST SEASON: 37-31-4-10, 88 points. Out of playoffs.

COACH: Marc Crawford, 2nd season with Stars, 37-31-14; 15th overall, 507-392-170 in NHL.

ADDED: C Adam Burish, G Andrew Raycroft, RW Scott Glennie, D Brad Lukowich.

LOST: G Marty Turco, C Mike Modano, RW Jere Lehtinen.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Brad Richards. The center led the team in scoring with 91 points. A skillful playmaker, the Stars need to surround him with talented finishers.

ICING: The Stars have missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons after five straight postseason trips. They will be searching for a new team identity now that Mike Modano is gone. They will also be searching for wins that will likely prove to be elusive again.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

ICE PICKS

Thursday's Best NHL Bets

Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers (-104, 5.5.)

The Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers don’t have a whole lot in common besides the province they reside in. The Oilers are rebuilding and will rely on untested youngsters while the Flames are hoping their grizzled group of veterans can squeak out one last good season.

Calgary GM Darryl Sutter took some heat for bringing back Olli Jokinen and Alex Tanguay, two players who did not play up to expectations in their previous stints with the franchise.

So why does Calgary’s management team think a Jokinen-Tanguay-Jarome Iginla top line will fix the club’s offensive woes?

“The whole lynchpin was Tanguay,” Flames assistant GM Jay Feaster told NHL.com. “One of the big problems was Olli tried to become something he’s not and that’s a playmaker. He and Jarome are both shooters. Putting them together, he (Jokinen) felt he had to set up Jarome. But bringing in Tanguay, he’s the playmaker and that’s what they felt they needed for both guys.”

We’ll believe it when we see it.

This much we do know: Calgary is so banged up at centre (Daymond Langkow and Matt Stajan are both out with injuries), Sutter had to sign 35-year-old Brendan Morrison as a stopgap.

We’ll take the scrappy Oilers in their first home game of the season.

Pick: Edmonton Oilers



Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs (-129, 5.5)

Nothing starts off the hockey season quite like a clash between two of the game’s biggest rivals.

The Leafs got off to a terrible start last season, losing 12 of their first 13 games, and were basically eliminated from playoff contention after a couple of weeks of play. So they know just how important it is to get off to a good start.

“I’ve overheard our players talking about (that start),” Toronto GM Brian Burke told the media on Monday. “They’re fully cognizant of how that start buried us last year. Reaching the playoffs, it’s too tough to dig that kind of hole. The gas you’re going to expend to get to level ground is going to do you in anyway.

“At one point we were three points out in December, but we had expended so much energy to get back in the hunt, that we had no chance.”

Burke addressed a few of the teams’ shortcomings by acquiring veteran goalie Jean-Sébastien Giguère, who replaced struggling netminder Vesa Toskala, and physical defenseman Dion Phaneuf at the end of last season. Those additions should give Toronto’s special teams a boost. The team had the worst power play and penalty kill in the league last season.

The Canadiens surprised everyone last year by making it all the way to the Eastern Conference final. They did so in large part thanks to incredible performances by goalie Jaroslav Halak and center Mike Cammalleri, who led all scorers with 13 postseason goals.

Carey Price is now the main guy in net for Montreal, but he might not even be able to play Thursday because of the flu, leaving backup Alex Auld to face the Leafs.

Cammalleri will also have to miss the season opener after being suspended for one game for slashing rookie Nino Niederreiter in Saturday’s exhibition tilt against the Islanders.

Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Bettors’ Best Friend (BBF): Thursday’s Wagering Tips

Lines To Keep An Eye On

The Giants opened at -150 against the Braves, but they are now at -153.

Nebraska opened as a 12-point favorite against Kansas State, and the line is now at 11.5. The over/under opened at 51 but has dropped to 50.

Weather To Watch

Braves at Giants: A 10 mph wind is expected to blow out to left field.

Light winds and clear skies should be on the menu in Manhattan, Kansas for the Nebraska vs. K-State game.

Who’s Hot

The Giants are 5-1 in Tim Lincecum’s last six starts.

The under is 9-0 in Tampa Bay’s last nine games overall.

Kansas State is 6-1 ATS in its last seven Big 12 contests.

Who’s Not

The Braves are 1-5 in their last six road games.

The Twins are 2-8 in their last 10 overall.

The Rays are 1-5 in their last five playoff games.

Key Stat

8-2, 3.17 – Those are Andy Pettitte’s numbers (record and ERA) in his last 15 playoff appearances (all starts) dating back to 2003. Pettitte has the most postseason wins in Major League Baseball history with 18.

Injury That Shouldn’t Be Overlooked

The news has gone from bad to worse for Minnesota first baseman Justin Morneau. He has not played since sustaining a concussion on July 7, and he won’t play for the rest of the season. Morneau initially hoped to return if the Twins advanced to the ALCS, but plans for a comeback of any kind have now been scrapped.

"Head injuries aren't like a broken wrist where you walk around with a cast on," Morneau explained. "It's inside…. Anybody who's been through it can know what it feels like, but it's hard to describe." What isn’t hard to describe is what this means for the Twins. They will be without a guy who was hitting .345 with 18 homers and 56 RBIs at the time of injury.

Biggest Game On The Slate

GAME 2: New York Yankees at Minnesota Twins

Notable Quotable

"I've just always felt no matter how bad things got here in September, this team was destined. This team had gone too far to let it slip away." – Chipper Jones, out for the year with a torn ACL, on his Atlanta Braves, who snuck into the postseason on the final day of the regular season in Bobby Cox’s last year as manager.

Tips And Notes

It will be an interesting matchup when Nebraska’s defense goes up against Kansas State running back Daniel Thomas. The Cornhuskers have allowed two 100-yard rushers in their first four games and they are 53rd in the nation in run defense giving up 139 yards per contest (36 more than last year’s average). Thomas is the nation’s fifth-leading rusher at 157 yards per outing.

Nebraska better be ready, because the host Wildcats certainly are. "I'm looking forward to it," Thomas told the Topeka Capital-Journal. "It's going to be on ESPN. Our fans are looking forward to it. It's a Big 12 North game. It's going to be a pretty big game." Added center Wade Weibert, "You can't ask for a better stage to put Daniel's name and Daniel's face out there. This is going to be a big opportunity for Daniel."

The Rays were handled by Cliff Lee in Game 1 on Wednesday and fell to the Rangers 5-1. They are now 1-5 in their last six playoff games and 3-6 in their last nine games overall this season. Still, manager Joe Maddon is confident and won't hear any talk of pressure. "We swung the bat well, we were just unfortunate," Maddon told the Orlando Sentinel. "We had bad baseball luck. I think our guys are resilient. No one will use the P-word." The good news is that Tampa Bay won't be going up against Lee on Thursday; instead, they will face C.J. Wilson.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

DUNKEL NCAA INDEX
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7

Game 305-306: Nebraska at Kansas State (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Nebraska 107.351; Kansas State 93.245
Dunkel Line: Nebraska by 14; 48
Vegas Line: Nebraska by 11 1/2; 51 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Nebraska (-11 1/2); Under

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

CKO

NINE-RATED GAMES: NEBRASKA (-13) at Kansas State (Thur., Oct. 7)
Wildcats are willing, but they don’t have enough dimensions to stay with Huskers and poised, versatile RS frosh QB Taylor Martinez

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MATT FARGO

10* Nebraska Cornhuskers -11.5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPORTS BETTING PROFESSOR
Thursday's Original NCAAF Pick:

Kansas State Wildcats +12*

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

PITTVIPER

MLB PLAYOFFS - October 7th, 2010
San Francisco Giants -150
Atlanta/San Francisco under 6.5 +105

NHL & CFL - October 7th & 8th, 2010
THURSDAY - ROT# 05 - Montreal/Toronto over 5.5 -115
THURSDAY - ROT# 06 - Toronto Maple Leafs -125
FRIDAY - ROT# 482 - Hamilton Tiger Cats -6 -110
FRIDAY - ROT# 482 - Edmonton/Hamilton under 52 -110

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NEW YORK SPORTS ADVISORS
MAX RELEASE
10 UNIT Nebraska Cornhuskers -11

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

BASEBALL CRUSHER
PLAY OF THE DAY

Atlanta Braves/SF Giants OVER 6.5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jeff Hochman

POSTSEASON GAME OF THE MONTH
10* SF Giants -150 ML

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Bottomline sports
7:30pm - Kansas State +12 (5*)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Maddux sports
Today's Free Pick is Nebraska & K State Over 50

 

[cobby]

david banks k state and under
tampa -120
giants -150