Blackhawks visit Flyers in afternoon clash

Hockey Betting Lines

03/13/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - One of the top teams in the Western Conference will head to the East Coast today as the Chicago Blackhawks visit the Philadelphia Flyers for an afternoon battle at Wachovia Center.

The Blackhawks have 93 points on the year, placing them first in the Central Division and two points behind San Jose for the conference lead. With a 14- point lead over Nashville, Chicago is likely headed to its first division title since the 1992-93 campaign.

Chicago dropped a 5-4 regulation decision last Sunday against Detroit but bounced back with Wednesday's close victory over the visiting Los Angeles Kings. Patrick Sharp opened the scoring early in the contest and lit the lamp 2:08 into overtime to give the Blackhawks a 3-2 win in the final test of a four-game homestand at United Center.

An ill-timed turnover by Kings forward Brad Richardson in the neutral zone set up the game-winning tally. Dave Bolland picked up the puck and quickly dished to Sharp, who beat Los Angeles goaltender Jonathan Quick on a breakaway for his 21st goal of the season.

"There are a lot of games left. We just want to build as the playoffs come," Sharp said.

Kris Versteeg had the other goal for Chicago and Patrick Kane added an assist to push his point streak to nine game. Antti Niemi made 28 saves to pick up the win, Chicago's seventh in its last nine games.

The Blackhawks are 18-10-3 as the visiting team this year and, beginning with today's tilt, are playing four of their next five games on the road. Chicago will host Washington Sunday afternoon at United Center.

Cristobal Huet is expected to get the start in goal tonight and Niemi will return to the crease in Sunday's game against the Capitals.

Meanwhile, the Flyers come into today still very much in a fight for a playoff spot. With 74 points, Philadelphia is tied with Montreal for the sixth seed out of eight postseason berths in the East.

Philadelphia was dealt a decisive loss by visiting Boston on Thursday, marking just the second regulation loss for the Flyers in 10 games (7-2-1). Tuukka Rask stopped 31-of-32 shots and Patrice Bergeron added a goal and two assists to lead the Bruins to the 5-1 rout of the Flyers.

Jeff Carter recorded the lone goal for the Flyers, whose two-game win streak came to an end.

"We've been not playing the greatest (lately), and I think we've been getting away with it on the power play and scoring timely goals," said Flyers captain Mike Richards. "But tonight we got what we deserved."

Starter Michael Leighton was tagged for four goals on 25 shots in 31-plus minutes. Brian Boucher finished the game with 11 stops, but Leighton is likely to get the start today. Boucher could earn the start in Sunday's game versus the New York Rangers.

Today's test marks the end of a four-game homestand for the Flyers, who are 20-12-2 as the host this year. Philadelphia's test against the Rangers on Sunday kicks off a four-game road trip.

This afternoon's tilt marks the only regular season meeting between the Blackhawks and Flyers this year. Chicago pounded the visiting Flyers, 5-1, last year, ending Philadelphia's six-game winning streak in the series. The Blackhawks come into today with losses in their last seven games in the City of Brotherly Love.

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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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