Weise gets first hat trick, Canadiens thump Flames 6-2
CALGARY, Alberta (AP) - Dale Weise's career night got the Montreal Canadiens back in the win column.
Weise completed his first career hat trick midway through the third period and the Canadiens blew out the hapless Calgary Flames 6-2 on Friday night to end a two-game skid and become the first NHL team with 10 wins.
"It feels good," said Weise, who also had a career-high seven shots on goal. "I've had so many chances, empty nets that I've missed that I just shouldn't miss."
Weise is already up to six goals on the year, just four back of his career-high of 10. He broke a 2-2 tie 6:57 into the second by taking the puck away from Benoit Pouliot, skated toward the right circle and beating Joni Ortio with a wrister.
The 27-year-old got his third with 8:16 left by smacking in the rebound from Tomas Fleishmann's shot. That brought hats raining down as if the game was being played at Montreal's Bell Centre.
"I seen them coming right away. I was a little shocked, but not really. The support we get all over, wherever we're playing, this is a storied franchise. We've got the greatest fans in the world," Weise said.
Nathan Beaulieu, Devante Smith-Pelly and Paul Byron also scored, and rookie Mike Condon made 30 saves. Montreal got its first win since its nine-game season-opening win streak ended against Vancouver on Tuesday.
Ortio stopped 25 shots for Calgary. Jiri Hudler and Josh Jooris scored.
The Flames have lost four straight and are yet to win in regulation this season.
"We're giving up too many goals, way too many," Calgary defenseman Kris Russell said. "It comes down to individual efforts, I've got to be better, I don't look past that. I'm on for way too many goals and I'm not helping my team."
Montreal made it 4-2 with 7:38 left in the second, again capitalizing on sloppy defense by Calgary. Dennis Wideman had the puck stolen from him along the end boards and Kris Russell lost his man, enabling Byron to set up Smith-Pelly for an open net.
Condon started in place of Carey Price and improved to 3-0 in three career starts.
Shaky goaltending continues to be the storyline in Calgary. Jonas Hiller, injured in his last game, is second-to-last in the NHL with an .861 save percentage. Opening night starter Karri Ramo, waived less than a week ago and sent to the minors, is at .879 through three starts. Ortio, a rookie, has struggled in both of his games.
Hudler scored 27 seconds into the second period to tie it 1-1.
Beaulieu's power-play goal 2 minutes later restored a 2-1 lead.
Jooris tied it again at 4:41, but it only remained that way for a couple of minutes.
NOTES: Flames coach Bob Hartley said Ramo will start on Saturday night in Edmonton. ... Alexander Semin was a healthy scratch for the Canadiens for the second game in a row. ... Ortio started at home for the first time since March 21, 2014. His last nine NHL appearances had come on the road. ... Montreal's Max Pacioretty was on the ice for Hudler's goal, which was the first opposing goal he's been on the ice for this season. He's been on for 20 Canadiens goals.