Bodog Beat

Martin Brodeur made 35 saves for underdog New Jersey. (AP Images)

It’s not often hockey bettors have a chance to make big money wagering on the New Jersey Devils. The Atlantic Division leaders are usually heavy favorites, but when they travel to Ottawa it’s another story.

The Eastern Conference-leading Senators get the bulk of the support at home, as they did for Saturday night’s contest against the Devils. So sharp NHL bettors may have taken a shot at the big payday. If they did, they were rewarded.

Martin Brodeur made 37 saves as the Devils built a 3-0 lead and held on to pull off the 3-2 upset at the Corel Centre. On offense, the Devils got two goals from fourth-liner Arron Asham and a power-play tally from Zach Parise.

New Jersey paid +170 on the puckline (meaning a winning hockey bet of $100 would net $170). The betting total fell just under 5.5 goals.

Ottawa got goals from Jason Spezza and Chris Kelly but couldn’t get the equalizer past Brodeur.

In other notable NHL games on Saturday:

Montreal 1, Philadelphia 0: Rookie goalie Carey Price made 34 saves for his first career shutout and Andrei Kostitsyn’s first-period goal held up as the winner in Montreal. The Canadiens paid -145.

New York Rangers 5, Buffalo 1: Steve Avery scored 10 seconds into the game and added another goal in the third period as the Rangers crushed the Sabres at Madison Square Garden. New York paid -130.

New York Islanders 4, Atlanta 1: In a textbook display of defense, the Islanders limited the Thrashers to just 10 shots. New York pelted 49 shots at the Atlanta net and built a 4-0 lead as it paid -145 at home.

Carolina 5, Florida 4: Ray Whitney’s tiebreaking goal lifted the Hurricanes at home, where they were -145 favorites.

Toronto 4, Boston 3: Darcy Tucker scored 3:39 into overtime to power the Maple Leafs to victory at home. Toronto paid -130.

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