Crazy Eights: Canucks try to extend home streak, halt skid to Avs

Hockey Betting Lines

03/15/2009 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Canucks are on a very impressive home winning streak, but that run figures to be tested this evening. Vancouver will try to end an eight-game losing streak to the Colorado Avalanche in tonight's battle at GM Place.

It wasn't that long ago that the Canucks lost a franchise-record nine games in a row on home ice, culminating with an overtime setback to Minnesota on January 31. However, Vancouver hasn't lost at GM Place since, winning eight in a row on home ice to improve to 19-11-4 as the host this year.

Vancouver, though, hasn't notched a victory over Colorado since a home overtime win on November 9 of 2007, getting outscored 31-16 over its eight- game skid to the Northwest Division-rival Avs. That streak includes four straight setbacks at home in the series for the Canucks.

Their inability to defeat the Avs could hinder their playoff chances as well. The Canucks are fifth overall in the Western Conference, but just six points separate them from Edmonton and Nashville, which are tied for eighth in the standings.

Vancouver plays Colorado four times over its final 15 games including tonight.

Henrik Sedin scored twice during the third period of Friday's 4-2 win over Los Angeles that extended the Canucks' home win streak. Alex Burrows and Mats Sundin each lit the lamp in the first period in helping Vancouver improve to 13-3-1 over its last 17 contests.

Burrows has scored in three straight games and has six goals in his last six contests. However, he has scored just once in 20 career games versus the Avs.

Roberto Luongo made 24 saves in guiding Vancouver to a victory in the opener of a four-game homestand.

Colorado appears to have regrouped from its recent six-game losing streak, winning three of four since the slide. That includes Saturday's 3-2 overtime win versus Edmonton that saw John-Michael Liles end things with a goal just 42 seconds into the extra frame.

Liles also recorded assists on power-play goals by Darcy Tucker and Paul Stastny for his second three-point game of the season. Stastny's goal, meanwhile, was his first in nine games since returning from a fractured right forearm.

Peter Budaj made 18 saves for the Avalanche, who improved to 13-21-1 on the road this year and will end a three-game swing on Tuesday in Minnesota.

Cody McCormick will serve the final test of his two-game suspension handed down for a high-sticking incident versus the Wild on Thursday. He received a double minor penalty on the play.

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Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

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