BUFFALO, N.Y., Feb. 29 (UPI) -- Tomas Plekanec recorded a hat trick and chipped in an assist Friday to lead the Montreal Canadiens to their sixth win in eight games, 6-2 over Buffalo.
The Canadiens moved past Ottawa into first place in the Northeast Division and into second place in the Eastern Conference.
Andrei Kostitsyn scored twice in the third period for Montreal, Alex Kovalev had four assists and Carey Price made 31 saves.
Buffalo lost for the third time in four games. Ryan Miller allowed all six goals on 33 shots.
It took Buffalo just 20 seconds to be called for a penalty and Plekanec scored 1:24 into the contest.
He added two second-period goals, both of those also coming on the power play, to give the Canadians a 4-1 advantage going into the third.
Buffalo has allowed at least three goals in seven of its last eight games.
