Ducks try to bounce back in Columbus

Hockey Betting Lines

02/12/2012 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Anaheim Ducks will try to rebound from a loss tonight, when they play the second test of an eight-game road trip against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.

The Ducks became the 19th straight opponent to lose in Detroit after dropping Friday's shootout decision at Joe Louis Arena. Todd Bertuzzi supplied the decisive goal in the third round of the shootout, as the Red Wings posted a 2-1 victory to move within one game of tying the NHL record for most consecutive home wins.

For the Ducks, it marked their fourth straight game with a point (2-0-2). Anaheim needs all the points it can get down the stretch, as the team is currently 11 out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Following an exciting overtime, Bertuzzi skated in on Jonas Hiller very slowly and beat the Anaheim goaltender with a backhander. Joey MacDonald then denied Bobby Ryan to give the extra point to Detroit.

Hiller stopped 23 shots for Anaheim, while enforcer George Parros scored the Ducks' only goal in regulation. The Ducks also failed to score on seven opportunities with the man advantage.

"We think we deserved a better fate," said Anaheim head coach Bruce Boudreau. "But when you go 0-for-7 on the power play, you make things a lot tougher on yourself."

Anaheim's longest road trip of the season will continue on Tuesday, when it visits Minnesota. The Ducks are just 6-11-7 as the away team this season.

Despite being last in the NHL with just 38 points, Columbus has won three of its last four games and is kicking off a three-game homestand tonight.

The Blue Jackets played Saturday in Minnesota and posted a 3-1 victory over the Wild thanks in part to a two-goal performance from R.J. Umberger.

Columbus defenseman James Wisniewski -- playing in his first game after missing the previous 17 with a broken ankle -- added a goal and an assist. Although Wisniewski's return is good news, the Blue Jackets are still without defensemen Brett Lebda (broken thumb) and Marc Methot (broken jaw) for the time being and veteran blueliner Radek Martinek is out for the rest of the season with a concussion.

Rick Nash finished with two assists for the Blue Jackets, who bounced back from Thursday's home loss to Dallas. Steve Mason was solid in net, stopping 34-of-35 shots.

"Mason was great," Blue Jackets interim head coach Todd Richards said. "It was good to see him get a win and it was a typical R.J. game, getting a goal on the power play when we needed it because we weren't playing very good hockey."

The Blue Jackets are 9-14-3 as the home club this year and will also host St. Louis and Chicago during this residency.

Columbus has won two of the three meetings against the Ducks this year and today's game marks the final encounter of the season between these clubs. Anaheim has taken three of five overall from the Blue Jackets, but Columbus has won two of its last three home tests against the Ducks.

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

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