Luongo blanks Kings as Canucks take over Northwest Division

Hockey Betting Lines

04/10/2009 - Vancouver, BC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Roberto Luongo made 20 saves in setting a franchise mark for shutouts in a season with his eighth, as Vancouver took over the top spot in the Northwest Division with a 1-0 blanking of the Los Angeles Kings at GM Place.

Ryan Kesler's power-play goal in the second period was all the Canucks needed behind Luongo, who posted the 46th shutout of his career and backed the club to its second win in a row at the most important time of the season.

Luongo was dazzling with 46 saves a 4-1 win over Calgary on Tuesday to move into a tie for first place in the division with the Flames. With 98 points, Vancouver has the edge over Calgary (96 points). However, the Canucks have one game left while Calgary has two.

It appears as if the loser of this divisional battle will open the first round of the postseason on the road. Both the Flames and Canucks, who have already clinched postseason berths, trail the fourth-seeded Blackhawks. Chicago, idle Thursday, has 100 points and two to play and can secure the fourth spot with a point in its next game.

Vancouver will play in Colorado on Saturday. Calgary begins a home-and-home set with Edmonton on Friday.

Jonathan Quick did his part for the Kings, halting 27-of-28 shots, but the club fell for a fifth time in the last seven tries.

Game Notes

Vancouver took three of four versus LA this year and posted a 4-2 win in the lone home meeting on March 13... Los Angeles wrapped a three-game road trip with the loss and is 16-22-32 as the guest this year. The club ends its season at home versus San Jose on Saturday...Part of the reason Vancouver was able to catch Calgary in the standings has been its play at home, where it is 24-12-5 this season.

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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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