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BROSSARD, Que. -- Dale Weise is finding out what its like to be a Montreal Canadien when theyre winning in the springtime. The city groaned when general manager Marc Bergevin sent defenceman Raphael Diaz to Vancouver Canucks for the little-known Weise on Feb. 3, but now the energetic fourth-line right-winger is becoming a folk hero. His breakaway goal in Game 3 of a NHL Eastern Conference semifinal on Tuesday night became his second game-winner of the playoffs as the Canadiens downed the rival Boston Bruins 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Weise had scored in overtime in the first game of an opening round sweep of the Tampa Bay Lightning. His first taste of his new-found fame came this week when he was out for a stroll with his fiancee, with seven-month-old son Hunter in a stroller. "This car pulled over right on the sidewalk," Weise said Wednesday. "The guy was in the drivers seat and I was on the right side. "In the middle of the green light hes reached across and hes banging on the window and yelling. My fiancees like what is this guy doing? Shes freaking out, and hes giving me the thumbs up. It was pretty outrageous." Weise will have a chance to grow his legend even more in Game 4 on Thursday night at the Bell Centre, as the Canadiens attempt to put a choke hold on the series. Taking a lead on the favoured Bruins has built a considerable buzz in Montreal, but a series in which Boston has looked overwhelming at times is far from over. The Canadiens blew 2-0 and 3-2 leads before winning in overtime in the series opener. Then they wasted a 3-1 lead by conceding four third-period goal in a 5-3 setback in Game 2 in Boston. At home on Tuesday night, Montreal scored twice in the first period and made it 3-0 on Weises goal before the Bruins struck back with a pair. Lars Eller ended the threat with a final-minute empty-net goal. "This is such a huge rivalry," said Weise. "When they meet in the regular season its looked at like a playoff match-up. Its such a cool thing to be a part of." The Bruins acknowledge they did not have their best game, staring with goalie Tuukka Rask who allowed three goals on 25 shots and who now has let in 10 in three games. Perhaps for the first time in the playoffs, they missed injured defence veterans Dennis Seidenberg and Adam McQuaid, as youngster Dougie Hamilton in particular struggled at times. McQuaid is gone for the season, and while Seidenberg is skating, there was no word on when he may return. But the Bruins can never be counted out, as theyve shown repeatedly in recent seasons. "Were a group thats confident, but we have guys now that are frustrated," said Boston coach Claude Julien. "They know they have to be better and they will be better. "Its a 2-1 series. Its not the end of the world here. Weve just got to battle back. Theres no reason to panic. We havent in the past and were not about to panic now." The Canadiens had surprises for Boston, including a tweak of the top two lines that saw Thomas Vanek put on the second unit with Tomas Plekanec and Michael Bournival while the pesky Brendan Gallagher moved up with David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty. Montreal also got a strong 26-save outing from goalie Carey Price and a third straight two-point game from defenceman P.K. Subban, who has 11 points in the last six playoff games. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Subban is the first Canadiens defenceman to record a six-game playoff point streak since Larry Robinson in 1985. "He is a game changer," Gallagher said of Subban. "Hes just giving us a lot of energy right now." The Canadiens also used one of their strengths, shot-blocking, to turn away 29 attempts before they could reach Price. "Theyre taking away a lot of scoring chances," said Boston forward Shawn Thornton. "They came out with a lot of energy. "I thought our pace was pretty good, but if you give up a couple of goals, then youre chasing. We have to shore it up and hopefully get back to the way we were used to playing." It has all conspired to make it a pleasant time to be Canadien, especially for a newcomer like Weise. The 25-year-old had a goal and an assist for his first playoff game with more than one point and only the second of his 192-game NHL career. He was one of three pickups ahead of the March 5 NHL trade deadline, along with defenceman Mike Weaver and Vanek, who have been key contributors to the Canadiens playoff run. Weise may not even have had a chance to play had Travis Moen and Alex Galchenyuk not been injured when the playoff started. Now it is hard to see how coach Michel Therrien could take him out. Although he is from Winnipeg, Weise grew up a Montreal fan, mainly because his father worshipped the Canadiens. So he considered the trade a dream come true. In his third season in Vancouver, Weise was ignored by coach John Tortorella, but landed on his feet as a regular fourth liner in Montreal. He was scratched three games in a row late in the season, but has been ball of energy since then. He considered it a wake-up call. And now hes getting the rock star treatment from Canadiens fans, which he said never happened before, even in a hockey market like Vancouver. "I was in a grocery store and I was walking into an elevator and this guy wouldnt let me get on the elevator," a grinning Weise recalled of another recent incident. "He was grabbing my shoulder, he was so excited and pumped up. "Then his buddy beside him said relax, relax and the elevator was closing and he kept saying Im sorry, Im sorry. I love the passionate fans. I think its awesome." Jean-Sebastien Giguere Jersey .com) - Former New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya is joining the Major League Baseball Players Association staff as a senior advisor to executive director Tony Clark. Ryan Miller Ducks Jersey . -- Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer will be out three to six weeks with a stress fracture of the third finger of his right hand. http://www.authenticduckspro.com/Giovanni-fiore-ducks-jersey/ . Each day, TSN.ca provides the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. Duck Calling With several marquee centres available via trade and expected to be available via free agency, the Anaheim Ducks could be primed to be big players in the coming days. Ryan Kesler Ducks Jersey .Connor Graham, Alex Lintuniemi and Sam Studnicka also scored for Ottawa (11-8-2). Liam Herbst made 21 saves for the win.Brendan Lemieux had both of Barries (10-10-2) goals. Scott Niedermayer Ducks Jersey . But defending champion Elena Vesnina of Russia held off a strong challenge to beat Shuai Peng of China 6-3, 6-4, and there was another hard-fought victory for 2012 runner-up Angelique Kerber of Germany, who defeated Alison Riske of the United States 7-6 (6), 6-4.LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Chicago Bears defensive co-ordinator Mel Tucker insisted he is only focused on one thing.That would be the next game, not his future.That may be hard to believe, but its not hard as a coach or as a player to get ready for this matchup, Tucker said.Chicago hosts New Orleans on Monday in a game between disappointing teams that are 5-8.While the Saints are tied with Atlanta for the NFC South lead, the Bears will miss the playoffs for the seventh time in eight years.Their defence has ranked among the leagues worst in two seasons under Tucker, who shrugged off questions about his job security and reiterated several times his focus is on preparing for the Saints.Tucker said he hasnt discussed his future with his bosses. If he is gone, few would be surprised.A franchise built on the strength of its defence, with names such as Butkus and Singletary, has been coming up short in a big way.Whether its the coaching or talent, injuries or execution, the Bears have taken a big step back in that area after consistently ranking among the leagues best under former coach Lovie Smith.Theyre allowing a league-high average of 29.1 points, which is about as bad as last season when they allowed 29.9 per game and tied for second worst in the NFL.Chicago is also tied for 28th in yards allowed (377.8 yards per game) and ranks 30th against the pass despite a major off-season overhaul.Injuries cant be overlooked.They were hit hard in that area a year ago, and its been more of the same this time around.Theyve lost four starters to season-ending injuries, with middle linebacker D.J. Williams (neck), joining defensive end Lamarr Houston, cornerback Charles Tillman and linebacker Lance Briggs on injured reserve on Thursday.First of all, were not in the business of making excuses for injuries; we cant, coach Marc Trestman said.Linebacker Jonathan Bostic pinned the Bears struggles on the players — not the coaches. He insisted the issue is execution and thats on the guys wearing helmets and pads.Its not on the coaches, Bostic said. We go back and watch the film andd everybody will see it.dddddddddddd Everything coaches are coaching us (to do), it needs to show up in the game. It cant show up in two out of three plays because that one play where it didnt show up — where one player jumped out of the gap or didnt do exactly what were being coached to do — is when we give up a big play.Asked if he has been given enough talent to succeed, Tucker said: You have to deal in the moment and in the immediate situation, which is New Orleans. We feel good about the guys we have going into the game and our preparation, and thats really all that matters. We feel good about this group, whether theyre rookies or not, just collectively to go in there and get the job done in the game. Thats what were talking about.The Bears have allowed more passing plays of 20 or more yards — 51 — than all but one team, the Philadelphia Eagles.There was similar speculation about his future a year ago, and on Thursday, Tucker dismissed it as something that comes with the territory. He has coached 10 seasons in the NFL and eight in college, so its nothing new to him.Tucker was also asked about the opening at Wisconsin, where he played as a defensive back.He talked to athletic director Barry Alvarez, his former coach, about the job in 2012, but remained in Jacksonville as the Jaguars defensive co-ordinator. That position is open again after Gary Andersen left for Oregon State.Would Tucker be interested this time if his old coach contacted him?Thats a hypothetical, Tucker said. I try to stay out of those. Ultimately, the sole focus is New Orleans and preparing for those guys. Thats the only thing Im thinking about right now.NOTES: K Robbie Gould hopes to be ready after missing a game because of a pulled right quadriceps. He sat out practice along with S Chris Conte (back), OL Michael Ola (back) and LB Darryl Sharpton (hamstring). DT Jeremiah Ratliff (knee) was limited. ... Tucker said there is a good chance Bostic will move to middle linebacker with Williams out.___Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '