Ryan, Ducks keep Avalanche in freefall

Hockey Betting Lines

03/29/2009 - Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bobby Ryan scored twice in Anaheim's 4-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche at Honda Center.

Corey Perry and Drew Miller also tallied for the Ducks, who have won six of their last seven games. Jonas Hiller turned aside 26 shots in the win.

With 82 points, Anaheim remains one behind St. Louis for the eighth and final playoff spot in the ever-changing Western Conference.

John-Michael Liles had the lone goal for the Avalanche, who have dropped seven in a row. Peter Budaj stopped 27-of-31 shots in the loss.

Perry gave the Ducks a 1-0 lead at 12:50 of the first period, but Liles answered on the power play with 3:21 remaining in the opening frame.

Anaheim regained the lead when Ryan dashed through the slot and fired a backhander that beat Budaj high on the glove side 4:13 into the middle stanza.

The Ducks created some breathing room with a pair of markers in the third period. Ryan gathered a rink-wide pass from Ryan Getzlaf and ripped a shot from the right circle that went between the pads of Budaj at 4:05.

Miller found the net at 5:52 to complete the scoring.

Game Notes

Anaheim swept (4-0) the season series from Colorado for the first time in franchise history...Ryan leads all rookies in goals with 26 and is tied with Chicago's Kris Versteeg for first in points with 50.

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Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value

If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture.  Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).

For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot.  The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.

TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the  drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.

"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,'  it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."

"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.

Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash.  Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win. 

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