Corvo, Walker lead Caps against Hurricanes

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03/10/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Both Joe Corvo and Scott Walker were given a chance to compete on a championship-caliber team when they were traded by the Hurricanes to the Capitals before the trade deadline. One week later, they get to show off in front of their old club.

Corvo and Walker will square off against their former mates tonight when Washington tries to avoid a second consecutive defeat at Verizon Center versus a Carolina squad that is making a late playoff push despite being sellers at the deadline.

The Capitals have been on fire since early January, going 20-2-3 over their last 25 games while jumping out to a 31-point edge over the second-place Thrashers for the top spot in the Southeast Division. They also lead the Penguins by 13 points for the top spot in the Eastern Conference and the Sharks by four points for the most in the NHL.

Washington has also earned a point in six of its last seven games, going 3-1-3 in that span. That includes Monday's 4-3 shootout loss to Dallas that halted the Caps' home winning streak at 11 games.

Tom Poti and Alex Ovechkin scored in the first and second periods respectively, but the Stars scored three times in the third frame. Ovechkin, though, netted the game-tying goal with 3:16 left in the third before the team's five-round shootout loss to the Stars and goaltender Marty Turco, who stopped a career-high 49 Washington shots.

Semyon Varlamov stopped 23 shots in the loss, Washington's first at home since December 28 to Carolina.

"It's not everyday you throw 52 shots on net," said Washington head coach Bruce Boudreau. "We've seen what [Turco] can do when he's at the top of his game, and tonight he was at the top of his game."

Ovechkin snapped a season-long six-game goal drought and moved into a tie with Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby for the league lead in goals with 44. Ovechkin is also tops in the NHL with 92 points and posted his fifth consecutive 300-shot season.

The Hurricanes had lost their first two games versus the Capitals this year before that victory at Verizon Center on December 28 behind two goals and three assists from Eric Staal. It was only Carolina's fourth win in its last 11 versus Washington overall and its third in nine trips to D.C.

Despite entering this game nine points back of playoff spot, the Hurricanes still opted to deal defenseman Corvo and winger Walker to the Capitals last week in separate trades, just a few of the handful of deals Carolina made before the deadline.

The club has yet to slow down, winning seven straight prior to Saturday's loss to Florida. However, Carolina got right back in the win column on Sunday with a 4-0 triumph over Atlanta for its first shutout of the season. Manny Legace made 27 saves for his 24th career shutout and first since April 5, 2008 while with St. Louis.

"[The Thrashers] are so talented you just got to be on top of your game all night," Legace said. "My defense played phenomenal in front of me all night long."

Jussi Jokinen had a goal and an assist while Brandon Sutter, Joni Pitkanen, and Rod Brind'Amour also lit the lamp for the victors. Sutter now has four goals and four assists over a six-game point streak.

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FOOTBALL BETTING : Cassel Signs Contract

Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.

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After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."

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Barry Bonds Watch: Giants Slugger Says He'll Be Back

With only 21 home runs standing between him and Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds is indeed planning on coming back for more in 2007. At least, that's what his agent told the Los Angeles Times.

"Barry's going to play in 2007," Jeff Borris of Beverly Hills Sports Council told the Times on Tuesday. "I've had many discussions with Barry and he's going to play. My intentions are to see to it he's in a big-league uniform next season. Those are my marching orders."

Contract negotiations could get started as early as next week. Let's see which team has the deeper pockets. Will MLB baseball betting lines despite allegations of steroid use? Bet On It at www.MySportsbook.com .

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