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| Montreal Canadiens center David Desharnais collides with Scott Timmins (right) during the first period of their NHL hockey game in Montreal on Wednesday |
Franzen scored twice in a 48-second span during the first period and added another three goals, including one in an empty net, in the third period.
He is the first player to record a five-goal game since Marian Gaborik did it with the Minnesota Wild in 2007.
“Hank (Zetterberg) and Bert (Bertuzzi) didn’t want to shoot it themselves, they were just trying to set me up. I’ve only been in (Ottawa’s Scotiabank Place) twice I think, but I scored two goals the last time I was here,” Franzen told reporters. “I like this building.”
The 31-year-old Swede increased his season goal total to 26 and helped the Red Wings (31-13-6) extend their lead in the Central Division to seven points over the Nashville Predators.
Ottawa (17-27-8) have now lost eight straight games, including 14 of their last 15, and are 15 points out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Elsewhere, the Montreal Canadiens moved within two points of first place in the Northeast Division with a 3-2 victory over the Florida Panthers on Wednesday.
Jeff Halpern, Tomas Plekanec and Brian Gionta scored three straight goals to give the Canadiens a 3-1 lead as they closed in on the division-leading Boston Bruins.
Montreals in-form captain Gionta scored a team-leading 19th goal of the season to follow up his two in Tuesday’s comeback shootout win over the Washington Capitals.
“Things are bouncing the right way for me, but ultimately, it’s the overall play of the team that’s making the difference,” Gionta told reporters. “We need to keep that momentum because we’re doing the right things.”
Montreal goaltender Alex Auld made 33 saves to help the Canadiens (29-18-5) earn their second consecutive win.
Florida rookie Scott Timmins opened the scoring 7:30 into the first period with his first NHL goal after making his debut against Toronto on Tuesday.
Halpern tied the game 1-1 for the Canadiens at 4:50 in the second and the home team took the lead at 5:46 in the third when Plekanec scored with a wrister. Gionta then added a third just over five minutes later also with a wrister after an assist from Max Pacioretty .