Lightning quick: Tampa Bay signs Malone, Prospal, Roberts
Hockey Betting Lines
06/30/2008 -
Tampa, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Tampa Bay Lightning made a big splash in the
free agent market on Monday, signing forwards Ryan Malone, Vinny Prospal and
Gary Roberts.
Malone's deal is for seventh years and worth an estimated $31.5 million. He
was acquired from Pittsburgh along with Roberts Saturday in exchange for a
conditional draft pick in 2009.
"Ryan's signing is a great validation of the organization's plans and
desires as we move forward," Lightning owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie said.
"He fits our strategic plan of adding quality players with a warrior
mentality. We look forward to a long and productive career for Ryan as a
member of the Lightning organization and the Tampa Bay community."
On Sunday, the Lightning also acquired the rights to Brian Rolston from the
Minnesota Wild.
Ownership hopes the deals will invigorate a franchise coming off a horrendous
2007-08 campaign in which Tampa Bay finished with the worst record in the
Eastern Conference. The club also drafted Steven Stamkos first overall earlier
this month.
Malone, a 27-year-old Pittsburgh native, recorded 27 goals and 51 points in 77
games for the Penguins last season. He also tallied six goals and 16 points in
20 playoff games in a career-year for the left winger. In 299 career games,
Malone has 87 goals and 169 points, all with the Penguins.
Prospal agreed to a multi-year contract after the Lightning acquired his
rights from the Philadelphia Flyers on June 18 in exchange for Nashville's
seventh-round pick (previously acquired) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and Tampa
Bay's fourth-round pick in 2009.
"We were very pleased to be able to announce last week that we had reached
terms with Vinny Prospal to bring him back to Tampa," Koules and Barrie
said. "With Vinny's new contract signed and in hand we are now able to
formalize the announcement today. We expect great things from Vinny in
2008-09 and beyond. He fits uniquely alongside Marty St. Louis and Vinny
Lecavalier on our MVP line and the new ownership group is thrilled these three
forwards will lead us into battle next season."
Tampa Bay dealt Prospal to the Flyers on February 25, one day before the NHL
trade deadline. The 33-year-old recorded four goals and 14 points in 18
regular-season contests last year following the trade, adding three goals
and 10 assists in 17 playoff games as the Flyers advanced to the Eastern
Conference finals for the first time since 2004.
Prior to the deal, Prospal registered 29 goals and 57 points in 62 games for
Tampa Bay.
This marks Prospal's third tour of duty with the Bolts. He was originally
acquired from Florida in exchange for center Ryan Johnson and a sixth-round
choice in the 2003 draft on July 10, 2001. He became a free agent on July 1,
2003 and was then reacquired from Anaheim on August 16, 2004 in exchange for a
second-round pick in 2005.
Over 792 games with Philadelphia, Ottawa, Florida, Tampa Bay and Anaheim, the
Czech native has 179 goals and 554 points.
Roberts signed a one-year contract.
"When meeting the media and our fans last week in Tampa we talked about not
leaving Steven Stamkos alone," Koules and Barrie said. "We talked about being
aggressive at the start of the free agency signing period. We think Gary's
signing today represents a great first step for us. He brings the Lightning
leadership, tenacity, grit and experience and he will be great for our young
players, especially Steven. He will be tremendous for the locker room and his
ability to play different roles at the forward position will be beneficial to
the team next season."
A former Stanley Cup Champion with the Calgary Flames in 1989, Roberts was
limited to only 38 games last season because of a broken leg and high ankle
sprain. He scored three goals and 15 points with 40 penalty minutes.
For his career, Roberts, 42, has tallied 434 goals and 903 points in 1,194
games with the Flames, Hurricanes, Maple Leafs, Panthers and Penguins.
Tampa Bay also acquired defenseman Janne Niskala from the Philadelphia Flyers
in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick in 2009 on Monday.
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Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends
We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS. Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned. For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go. As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190). Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”. By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet. For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction. On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later. Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick. Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com
New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors
Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season.
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls
Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times.
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons
Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season.
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers
In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS.
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”. With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit. Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.
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