Connolly lifts Leafs to OT win over Oilers

Hockey Betting Lines

02/16/2012 - Edmonton, AB (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tim Connolly scored the game-winning goal just 1:39 into the overtime period, leading the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 4-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place.

Joffrey Lupul collected the disc in the defensive zone and raced up the left wing on a 3-on-1. Lupul held the puck until he got to the circle and feathered a pass over to Connolly, who easily tapped it in for the winner.

Lupul, Matthew Lombardi and Jake Gardiner all scored in regulation for the Leafs, who snapped a season-high four-game losing streak. James Reimer made 29 saves in the victory.

Ben Eager, Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle lit the lamp for the Oilers, who had their four-game winning streak on home ice snapped. Nikolai Khabibulin was tagged for all four goals on 26 shots in defeat.

The Leafs wasted no time opening the scoring, finding the back of the net just 40 seconds into the contest.

Phil Kessel gained the blue line on the rush and cut to the slot before dropping it off for Lupul, who ripped a quick wrister past the glove side of Khabibulin.

Toronto extended its lead to 2-0 just 58 seconds later when Cody Franson sent a pass right up the middle to Lombardi at the blue line and the veteran center went in on Khabibulin and buried a backhander.

The Oilers cut the deficit to 2-1 54 seconds later after Lennart Petrell chased down a loose puck behind the net and swung it out front to Eager, who fired it into an empty cage.

Edmonton knotted the game at two at 8:15 of the second period when Hall drove hard to the net and was rewarded with a nice pass from Sam Gagner before redirecting it past Reimer from in close.

The Leafs retook the lead with a power-play tally at 6:46 of the third period after Clarke MacArthur backhanded a pass off the left wing wall right to Gardiner, who one-timed it past Khabibulin from the point.

Edmonton, though, fought back to tie things at three with 4:04 to play in regulation after Eberle fought off two checkers in the slot and fired a perfect wrister high over the left shoulder of Reimer and just under the crossbar.

"We had a slow start but came back hard and played a good game," Eager said. "We had our chances to win, but unfortunately couldn't convert."

Game Notes

Toronto completed a season sweep of the Oilers after taking the first game of the series, 6-3 on February 6...It was Connolly's first goal since January 5...The Leafs improved to 4-3 in overtime...Toronto is 19-3-0 when leading after the first period...The Oilers finished 0-for-2 with the man advantage, while the Leafs were 1-for-3 on the power play...Toronto will face the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday, while Edmonton will host the Colorado Avalanche on Friday.

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Football Betting: Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards

Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.

Bet on NFL Football

Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.

Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.

Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.

Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.

All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.

A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.

For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.

2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award

Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1

Ron Brace (NE) 25/1

Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1

Darius Butler (NE) 40/1

Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1

Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1

Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1

Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1

Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1

Larry English (SD) 15/1

Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1

Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1

Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1

Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1

James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1

Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1

Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1

Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1

Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1

Roy Miller (TB) 20/1

Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1

Fili Moala (IND) 30/1

Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1

Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1

B J Raji (GB) 7/1

Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1

Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1

David Verkune (CLE) 20/1

Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1

Field (Any Other Player) 6/1

NFL football gambling

To visit this internet sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.