DETROIT, March 26 (UPI) -- Jiri Hudler scored the decisive goal in the third period Saturday and the Detroit Red Wings dealt Toronto's playoff hopes a blow with a 4-2 win.
Hudler's tally came 6:49 into the final frame and broke a 2-2 tie. He fired a slap shot from the left circle past the glove of James Reimer, and the Red Wings went on to snap a three-game losing skid.
Hudler and Henrik Zetterberg each notched a goal and an assist, Todd Bertuzzi and Tomas Holmstrom added scores and Jimmy Howard stopped 15-of-17 shots for Detroit.
Howard had to leave the game early in the third period after Toronto's Joffrey Lupul fell on him. Joey MacDonald came in to stop all seven shots he faced the rest of the way.
The Leafs, who entered the game with shot to catch Buffalo for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot, fell seven points behind the Sabres with the loss.
Lupul and Nazem Kadri registered a goal and a helper each and Reimer turned aside 25-of-28 stops for the Leafs.
