Blues face critical test from visiting Sharks

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03/12/2009 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Victories against the San Jose Sharks have been hard to come by lately for the St. Louis Blues. However, a win over San Jose tonight would give a big boost to St. Louis' playoff chances. The Blues continue their crucial homestand this evening against the Sharks at Scottrade Center.

St. Louis is currently 11th in the Western Conference with 68 points, but is only three points behind Nashville and Edmonton, which are tied for the last two playoff spots in the West. Both Dallas and Minnesota are ahead of the Blues with 70 points each.

St. Louis did its part by defeating the Stars, 5-2, on Tuesday and will end its current four-game homestand on Sunday with a visit from the Wild. First, though, the Blues must take on San Jose tonight and then Detroit on Saturday.

The Sharks and Red Wings are currently tied for the most points in the NHL with 96 each, although San Jose has played two fewer games than the Red Wings. Eastern Conference-leading Boston has 95 points and all three teams play tonight.

David Perron scored twice in Tuesday's win over the Stars, while Keith Tkachuk notched his 20th goal of the season. It marks the 15th time that the 520- career goal scorer has reached that mark. David Backes also lit the lamp for St. Louis, giving him four goals and two assists over his last three games.

Chris Mason made 20 saves in the win, which improved St. Louis to 17-12-5 at home this year. Mason will try to get over the hump tonight versus the Sharks, as he is 0-6-1 with a 3.42 goals against average lifetime against the club.

He allowed five goals in his lone start against San Jose this year, a 5-4 loss in California on December 13. That setback was St. Louis' seventh in a row to the Sharks before it posted a 3-2 shootout win at home on December 27.

The Blues have still lost 11 of their last 13 to the Sharks, and their late December win also snapped a seven-game series home losing streak. St. Louis has not notched back-to-back wins over San Jose since November 13 and December 18, 2003.

The Sharks wrap a three-game road trip tonight. They lost the opener of the swing in Vancouver last Saturday before Tuesday's 5-4 overtime win in Minnesota. Christian Ehrhoff scored 3:34 into overtime to give his club two points despite blowing a three-goal lead.

Joe Thornton lit the lamp twice, while newcomer Travis Moen registered a short-handed goal and an assist for the Sharks, who snapped a season-high four-game losing streak.

San Jose goaltender Brian Boucher made his sixth straight start in place of Evgeni Nabokov, who did not travel with the team due to a lower-body injury. Boucher made 25 saves in his first victory since February 26.

Defenseman Rob Blake is also out for San Jose tonight after suffering a foot injury versus the Canucks. He has nine goals and 30 assists this season.

San Jose's win was just its fourth in its last 11 road games and the club is 17-9-6 as the guest this season.

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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.

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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

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