NHL: Detroit 3, Minnesota 2

DETROIT, April 5 (UPI) -- Marian Hossa's goal with less than a minute left in the third period Sunday boosted the Detroit Red Wings to a 3-2 win over the Minnesota Wild.

His 38th goal this season was a wrist shot past Minnesota netminder Niklas Backstrom with just 55 seconds left in regulation, severely damaging Minnesota's faint playoff hopes.

Detroit led 2-0 early after goals by Jiri Hudler (23) and Pavel Datsyuk (32), on which Hossa had an assist.

Minnesota closed to 2-1 before the first period ended when Cal Clutterbuck (10, unassisted) scored at the 18:34 mark.

Marian Gaborik's 10th after assists by Clutterbuck and Peter Olvecky made it 2-2 heading into the third.

Goaltender Chris Osgood made 21 saves on 23 shots for the Red Wings, winners in the Central Division for the eighth straight season.

Backstrom gave up three goals on 44 shots for the Wild, who trail Nashville and St. Louis in the chase for the final Western Conference playoff spot.