CANADIENS 5, SENATORS 1: Erik Cole netted a natural hat trick just five minutes, 41 seconds into the first period, giving him a career high-tying 30 on the season as as host Montreal handed Ottawa its fifth loss in six games.

Petteri Nokelainen and Lars Eller also tallied and All-Star Carey Price turned aside 37 shots for the Canadiens, who roughed up Craig Anderson in his return from a one-month absence with a severed tendon in his right pinky finger. Anderson exited after yielding two goals on four shots, but returned after rookie Ben Bishop allowed a pair of tallies.

All-Star Jason Spezza netted his 30th goal while playing in his 600th career NHL game. Seventh-place Ottawa sits just two points ahead of Washington and Buffalo in the Eastern Conference standings.

Cole opened the scoring just 29 seconds into the contest after his wrist shot from the left faceoff circle handcuffed Anderson.

After doubling the advantage nearly 4 1/2 minutes later by cleaning up a loose puck on the doorstep, Cole capped the hat trick just 45 seconds later after pouncing on a rebound for a power-play goal. Defenseman P.K. Subban and David Desharnais recorded assists on both tallies.

Nokelainen completed Montreal's four-goal first-period barrage at 8:21 of the session after skating up the left wing on a 2-on-1 advantage. Nokelainen elected to keep the puck and wristed a shot from the left faceoff circle past Bishop for his third goal.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Cole netted 30 goals during the 2005-06 season as a member of the Carolina Hurricanes. ... Anderson finished with 20 saves. ... Montreal went 4-0-2 in the season series versus Ottawa. ... The Canadiens snapped a three-game losing skid by defeating the Senators for the second time since March 14.