OTTAWA (Reuters) - Detroit's Johan Franzen became the first NHL player in over three years to score five goals in a game when he led the Red Wings to a 7-5 victory over the struggling Ottawa Senators 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.
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.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Frank Pingue)
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