RALEIGH, N.C., March 16 (UPI) -- James Reimer allowed only a first-period goal and made 36 saves Wednesday in carrying the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 3-1 victory over Carolina.
The Maple Leafs moved within four points of Buffalo for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference but Carolina is still between Toronto and the Sabres.
The lone goal surrendered by Reimer came on the power play from Chad LaRose with 7:36 to go in the opening period. Dion Phaneuf then scored twice for Toronto and assisted on the Maple Leafs' third goal.
Phaneuf tied the score with 59 seconds left in the first and put Toronto in front 10:51 into the second. Both goals were power-play tallies and came on slap shots that beat Cam Ward.
It took only a dozen seconds after Phaneuf's second goal for Tyler Bozak to boost the Toronto lead to 3-1.
The Maple Leafs won for only the second time in six games. Carolina has dropped five out of six.
Ward gave up the three goals on just 19 shots.
