Avalanche playoff-bound after shootout win over Canucks

Hockey Betting Lines

04/07/2010 - Vancouver, BC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Matt Duchene scored in the third round of the shootout as the Colorado Avalanche clinched the final playoff spot in the Western Conference with a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks.

Duchene was the last skater as all previous five shooters were stopped. He came in on net and faked to the forehand before stuffing the puck between Roberto Luongo for the win.

Just one season removed from the worst record in the Western Conference, the Avs find themselves back in the playoffs as they now have 93 points and sit in the eighth spot, three behind the Red Wings as both teams have three games to play.

Meanwhile, Vancouver has already clinched the Northwest Division and will begin the playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.

Paul Stastny had a goal and an assist while Darcy Tucker and T.J. Galiardi each added a goal for the Avalanche, who have won their past two. Craig Anderson made 29 stops in the win.

Daniel Sedin had two goals and Mason Raymond scored the other for the Canucks, who had won three of four coming in. Luongo stopped 28 shots.

Colorado grabbed the 1-0 lead when an errant clearing attempt was picked up by Tucker and he fired a shot home from the right circle 6:17 in.

Vancouver tied the game with 2:01 to play in the frame on Sedin's 25th goal of the season, but the Avs grabbed the lead back just 57 seconds later on Galiardi's backhander that found its way into the net.

At the 7:11 mark of the second, Vancouver tied the game on a 2-on-1 break as Raymond's wrister on the fly from the left circle beat Anderson.

The Avalanche, though, got a 2-on-1 break of their own seven minutes later as Chris Stewart saucered a pass from the left circle over the stick of a defender and Stastny redirected it home.

Skating on the power play late in the third, the Canucks tied the game as Henrik Sedin skated down the middle and backhanded the puck over to the left side for his brother, who snapped a wrister into the right corner with 4:06 left in regulation.

Game Notes

Vancouver plays at San Jose on Thursday...Colorado plays in Edmonton on Wednesday...Vancouver took four of six from the Avalanche this season...Vancouver scored on its only power play of the game while Colorado went 0-for-2.

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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.

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