Blues continue homestand, seek first win vs. Red Wings

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03/14/2009 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The St. Louis Blues are trying to make their crucial four- game homestand a successful one. However, success isn't something they have had this year versus Detroit.

The playoff-hopeful Blues seek their first win over the Red Wings this season in today's battle at Scottrade Center.

St. Louis enters this game with 70 points, just two back of Edmonton and Dallas for the last two playoff spots in the Western Conference. The Blues began this residency with a 5-2 win over Dallas before handing second-seeded San Jose a 3-1 loss on Thursday.

Andy McDonald posted a goal and one assist to help lead the Blues over the Sharks. Brad Boyes and Barret Jackman registered the other goals for St. Louis, which has won six of eight overall. Chris Mason stopped 24 shots for the win.

Patrik Berglund, who has 39 points this season, missed the San Jose game due to a back injury that has him questionable for today's game.

The Blues' win on Thursday improved them to 18-12-5 as the host and was their fifth win in their last seven games at Scottrade Center. However, they have lost four straight at home versus the Red Wings, who are 14-3-1 with a tie in their last 19 trips to St. Louis.

The Blues have gone winless in four games versus the Red Wings this year, getting outscored 17-7. That includes a 5-0 home loss on March 3.

Leading-goal scorer Marian Hossa hasn't played for Detroit since that shutout win. He crashed head-first into the boards in that game and had to be taken off the ice on a stretcher. He has missed the last four contests with a stiff neck/back and bruised knee and leads the Red Wings with 34 goals. Hossa is questionable for this game.

Detroit has split four games since that win over St. Louis. It built a 4-1 lead on Thursday at home versus Calgary, but saw the Flames net four straight goals on the way to an eventual 6-5 shootout win.

Dan Cleary tied the game with 41.4 seconds left for Detroit to force overtime, but Olli Jokinen notched the game-winner in the shootout for Calgary. Nicklas Lidstrom registered a goal and two assists in the setback, while Henrik Zetterberg, Mikael Samuelsson and Valtteri Filppula also scored for the home team.

Pavel Datsyuk collected three helpers and Ty Conklin made 28 saves in the loss.

Detroit and its 97 points lead San Jose by one for the most in the West. The Red Wings are tied with Boston in the race for the Presidents' Trophy.

The Red Wings play the first of back-to-back road games today and are 19-10-5 as the guest this year.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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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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