Battered Blackhawks pay a visit to Kings

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03/18/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - When you are one of the top teams in the NHL, you tend to have a target on your back. That term has taken a literal meaning for the Chicago Blackhawks as of late.

Chicago will try to snap a three-game losing streak and recover from the loss of yet another defenseman tonight, when it takes on the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center.

The Blackhawks are two points behind the San Jose Sharks for the top seed in the Western Conference, but matched their longest losing streak of the season with last night's 4-2 setback to the Anaheim Ducks, a loss that was made worse with the early exit of Brent Seabrook to injury.

Seabrook, who scored in the defeat along with Marian Hossa, left early in the second period after getting drilled into the boards by former teammate and current Anaheim defender James Wisniewski. Seabrook's head was driven into the glass with force, landing him on the ice a few moments after the hit, which earned Wisniewski a charging call.

Chicago defenseman Duncan Keith immediately fought Wisniewski, who began his NHL career with the Blackhawks in 2005-06 before getting dealt to the Ducks in March of 2009, and Nick Boynton also fought Wisniewski late in the third period.

"That was pretty frustrating and angering," said Chicago captain Jonathan Toews. "We're not happy about that, obviously. A lot of guys in this locker room know the guy that did it, and it becomes pretty personal when something like that happens. "He wasn't skating in from the blue line for any other reason than to run him over and take the liberty on [Seabrook]. We're proud and happy for the guys like Duncan and Nick that stood up for him."

Boynton was recalled from Rockford of the American Hockey League on Tuesday, the same day Chicago learned that defenseman Brian Campbell would miss seven- to-eight weeks because of a fractured collarbone and broken rib suffered when he was hit into the boards from behind by Washington's Alex Ovechkin on Sunday. Ovechkin earned a two-game suspension for the hit.

With Cristobal Huet out with flu-like symptoms and fellow goaltender Antti Niemi having allowed four goals in that setback to the Capitals, Corey Crawford was also recalled from Rockford on Tuesday and made his first start since March 12, 2008. He made 32 saves in the opener of a three-game road trip.

The Kings will also be looking to shake off a tough loss, as they dropped the opener of a four-game homestand on Sunday, 3-2, to the Predators.

Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown both scored for Los Angeles, which has lost seven straight to Nashville but only fell to 6-2-1 in its last nine at home overall. Jonathan Quick made 28 saves in defeat.

"It is not about them, it is about us," said Kopitar, who matched his 2007-08 career high by scoring his 32nd goal of the season. "The way we approached the game [Sunday], we were lacking energy and lacking effort. It is not the way to start a game, especially against a team we have not had success against. Most importantly, a team that is chasing us for a playoff spot. It is unacceptable."

The Kings have now fallen a point back of the Colorado Avalanche for the fifth spot in the West with two games in hand.

The Blackhawks have won four of their last five versus the Kings, including both meetings in Chicago this year. However, Los Angeles notched a 2-1 shootout victory at home on Nov. 28 on Kopitar's game-winner in the deciding frame, and has won three straight and four of the last five games played in Los Angeles between the teams.

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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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