Kessel's OT goal lifts Leafs over Tampa Bay

Hockey Betting Lines

03/11/2010 - Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Phil Kessel scored 3:33 into overtime to give Toronto a 4-3 triumph over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Viktor Stalberg had a pair of goals, while Tyler Bozak also found the net for the Maple Leafs, who gained their second straight 4-3 overtime victory, also winning at home against Boston on Tuesday. Jean-Sebastien Giguere made 30 saves for Toronto.

Steven Stamkos had a goal and an assist, stretching his amazing points streak to a franchise-record 18 games and his goal string to seven contests, but the Lightning lost for the seventh time in eight tries. Kurtis Foster and Steve Downie also lit the lamp for Tampa Bay, which at 66 points is six behind Boston and Montreal, who are tied for seventh in the Eastern Conference. Mike Smith stopped 34 shots in defeat.

Vincent Lecavalier failed on a breakaway chance halfway through overtime, and a turnover allowed the Maple Leafs to win the game following an odd-man rush. Bozak stole the puck in his own end and raced the other way on a 2-on-1. He backhanded the puck from the left circle to in front, where Kessel backhanded the disc by Smith for his 23rd goal of the season.

Stamkos scored on the power play with 1:43 left in the opening period. He blasted a wrister from the left circle high to beat Giguere.

Stalberg tied the game midway through the second period with his fourth goal of his rookie campaign. He then gave the Lightning the lead with 3:43 left in the period by directing the puck from the right circle by Smith.

Just 24 seconds later, Foster tied the game on a blast from above the right circle as the puck found its way through traffic and by Giguere.

Stamkos was the recipient of a left-handed punch from Dion Phaneuf with 1:57 remaining in the period. Phaneuf and Downie were given roughing penalties on the play.

Bozak moved Toronto ahead 3-2 at 3:37 of the third. Kessel sent the puck from the right circle to the slot, where it deflected to Bozak below the left circle for the goal.

Downie netted the equalizer just 1:23 later by deflecting on oncoming puck in front and then sweeping it past Smith.

Game Notes

The NHL's longest point streak this season is held at 19 games by Corey Perry of the Anaheim Ducks...Tampa Bay has lost 12 of its last 16 at Toronto...Giguere has a career record of 5-1-0 with one shutout in six games against Tampa Bay...Stamkos has 17 goals and 16 assists during his 18-game streak.

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MySportsbook.com: NFL draft - The NFC South


In part two of MySportsbook.com’s draft preview, we’ll take a look at a division that was extremely disappointing last season: the NFC South.  Many “experts” predicted the Panthers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, of course they could not even make the playoffs in an extremely weak NFC.  The Saints definitely made up for the disappointing seasons of their NFC South brethren by exploding out of no where en route to the NFC Championship game.  For the avid NFL gambler, it is imperative to pay attention to the NFL draft.  Although free agency gets a ton of publicity, the successful franchises build their teams around the draft.

1. New Orleans Saints
Who would have thought this time last year that the Saints would be the favorites to win the NFC South for the 2007 campaign?  New Orleans is loaded with firepower on the offensive side of the ball but with the exodus of Joe Horn they will most likely look to draft a WR on Day 1.  Despite having the NFL’s 3rd ranked pass defense last season, the Saints will most likely upgrade their CB’s with one of their first two picks. Other possibilities for the Saints will be TE and DT.  Because of where they will be selecting (27th), the Saints could go the “best available player” route which could net a LB.

Key additions: Eric Johnson TE, Troy Evans LB, David Patten WR
Key loses: Joe Horn WR,
Team needs: CB, WR, TE, LB, DT
Possible draftees: Aaron Ross CB Texas, Darrelle Revis CB Pitt, Ted Ginn Jr. WR OSU, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Chris Houston CB Arkansas, Greg Olsen TE Miami

2. Carolina Panthers
Carolina was one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL last season.  With the signing of David Carr, expect the very first quarterback controversy to come out of Carolina if Jake Delhomme doesn’t rebound quickly from an average 2007 season. With veteran safety Mike Minter getting up there in age, they will look to draft a safety on Day 1 but probably not in the first round.  LB is another need with the loss of Chris Draft to go along with Dan Morgan’s concussion problems.  If TE Greg Olsen is still on the board, he might be too good to pass up despite their needs on the defensive side of the ball.

Key additions: David Carr QB
Key loses: Chris Draft LB
Team needs: LB, TE, S, OT
Possible draftees: Greg Olsen TE Miami, Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Levi Brown OT PSU

3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were another NFC South team to have a disappointing 2007 season.  The Falcons have been plenty busy during the off season with plenty of players coming and going including a new head coach.  The Falcons were able to improve their draft position with the trade of coveted backup QB Matt Schaub.  High on the list of Day 1 needs will be a defensive end to replace Patrick Kerney and a hard hitting safety since Lawyer Milloy is nearing the end of his career.  With an additional 2nd round pick, the Falcons could attempt to trade up to acquire local product WR Calvin Johnson. 

Key additions: Joey Harrington QB, Toniu Fonoti OG, Joe Horn WR
Key loses: Justin Griffen RB, Patrick Kerney DE, Matt Lehr OG, Ashley Lelie WR, Matt Schaub QB
Team needs: DE, S, OT, WR, DT
Possible draftees: LaRon Landry S LSU, Amobi Okoye DT Louisville, Levi Brown OT PSU, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas, Alan Branch DT Michigan

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age really caught up to the Bucs last season.  The Bucs still have plenty of household names on defense in Ronde Barber, Simeon Rice and Derrick Brooks but the one thing those three have in common is unfortunately age.  It is imperative for the Bucs to get much younger, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite having bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball, WR Calvin Johnson is the most likely pick if he is still available when the Bucs pick at the four spot.  This would suit Bucs’ faithful just fine as Johnson is widely considered the top talent in the draft and it is a position of need for the Bucs.

Key additions: Jeff Garcia QB, Kevin Carter DE, Torrie Cox CB, Cato June LB
Key loses: Dewayne White DE, Sean Mahan OG
Team needs: WR, LB, DE, CB (Youth on defense!)
Possible draftees: Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech, Gains Adams DE Clemson, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas

It is never too early to start betting on the NFL. Log on to MySportsbook.com to checkout all of the NFL futures for the upcoming season.  On the clock: the NFC North

Odds to win the NFC South:
New Orleans Saints 8-5
Carolina Panthers 2-1
Atlanta Falcons 12-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-2    

Odds to win the NFC:
New Orleans Saints 13-2
Carolina Panthers 7-1
Atlanta Falcons 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-1

Odds to win the Super Bowl:
New Orleans Saints 18-1
Carolina Panthers 20-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75-1

To visit this sportsbook get to MySportsbook.com for all your online sportsbook needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.