check out this link from USCIS, which says that they already recieved 20,000 applicants by April 29th, 2009.
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=6a7619857b7e0210VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=e7d696cfcd6ff110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD

so it is unlikely that H1B is still an option for you this year.

I think your best bet is to get the job right now, extend your EAD when January comes, and then apply for H1 in April 2010. good luck.