Weekend Preview - Suns fighting for playoff spot, Malkin and Pens rolling

Of course, most bettors’ attention will be focused on March Madness odds this weekend, as the tournament works its way into the Elite Eight. But fans that are looking for more than college basketball can still get a full plate of sports betting action. In the Weekend Betting Preview, we’ll take a look at some of the best events happening today and tomorrow, from hockey, to pro basketball, to NASCAR.

SATURDAY, MARCH 28

• NHL betting: Rangers vs Penguins odds, 1:00 p.m. ET

These Atlantic Division rivals both have a chance to finish as high as fourth in the Eastern Conference, which would mean home-ice advantage in the first-round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. New York is 6-3-1 in its last 10 games, although it dropped a 5-4 shootout decision in Atlanta on Thursday. Christ Drury scored a goal and two assists.

Pittsburgh has played exceptionally since bringing in new head coach Dan Bylsma, going 13-2-3 under his watch. The Pens have won four of their last five games, including a 2-0 blanking of Calgary on Wednesday. Evgeni Malkin is leading the charge with an NHL-best 106 points; he has a four-game point streak going (three goals, 6 assists in that span).

• NBA betting: Suns vs Jazz odds, 9:00 p.m. ET

Phoenix is desperate for a win, as it is barely clinging onto playoff hopes at this point. The Suns won six straight before losing 129-109 to Portland on Thursday, the first of a three-game road trip. They’ve received contributions from all over the play, with Grant Hill, Jason Richardson, Shaquille O’Neal and Leandro Barbosa all leading the team in scoring at some point during that streak.

Utah, on the other hand, could conceivably finish anywhere from second to eighth in the Western Conference, so it’s also anxious to rack up some victories. The Jazz had won three consecutive games before dropping a 118-114 decision in Phoenix on Wednesday. They return to their home court now where they are an impressive 26-8. That’s bad news for Phoenix, which is just 16-19 away from home.

SUNDAY, MARCH 29

• NHL betting: Canucks vs Blackhawks odds, 7:00 p.m. ET

The Canucks have been one of the NHL’s hottest teams over the past two months, and they’ve piled up an impressive 17-5-1 record since February. They’ve hit a bit of a skid heading into last night’s game against Colorado, though, having lost two of three. It doesn’t help that Sunday’s game will be their fifth straight on the road.

The young Blackhawks are enduring a brutal stretch of hockey; at one point losing seven of eight games (though two were in shootout and overtime). Chicago appears to be finding its groove again, though, after winning back-to-back games, including a character-building 6-5 overtime win over the Sharks (Chicago played New Jersey last night). The Blackhawks need to get their power play going, as they’ve scored with the man-advantage just once in their past 19 tries.

• NBA betting: Spurs vs Hornets odds, 8:00 p.m. ET

The Spurs are trying to beat back several teams chasing them for second-place in the West. Heading into last night’s game against the Clippers they’d won their two straight, largely thanks to Tony Parker, who dropped 30 and 42 points in those games, respectively (plus another 10 assists in each game). San Antonio also got some good news when Manu Ginobili returned to action for the first time since Feb. 11.

New Orleans headed into Friday’s game against the Knicks after a 101-88 loss to Denver, which snapped a three-game winning streak. Chris Paul has been brilliant for the Hornets, leading the team in scoring in 11 consecutive games, averaging 26.7 points and 10.7 assists in that span. New Orleans could afford to have David West play a bit better, as the forward hasn’t posted double-digit rebounds or blocked a shot in four straight games.

• NASCAR betting: Sprint Cup Series at Martinsville Speedway, 2:00 p.m. ET

Denny Hamlin is the defending champion, while Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson figure to run well at the Goody’s 500 in Martinsville, as these Hendrick teammates have mastered the track in the past. Expect a big showing from Team Hendrick, which placed all four cars in the Top-14—inlcuding three in the Top-6—at Bristol last weekend. Hendrick cars have won nine of the last 12 races at Martinsville.

Check out the BetOnline.com Sportsbook for all the best lines this weekend.