With the last-place Toronto Maple Leafs in town Sunday night, the Detroit Red Wings had a tremendous opportunity to not just jump back ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins, but to open up a five-point advantage on the surging Philadelphia Flyers.
But they couldn't slip one past Jonathan Bernier.
Behind 38 saves from the Maple Leafs goaltender, Mike Babcock earned his first win in Detroit since leaving the organization last summer, 1-0.
Bernier's clean sheet was his second of the season, and the first shutout by a Maple Leafs netminder in Detroit in more than 15 years.
Michael Grabner underscored what was a highly unusual contest, scoring his first goal in 30 games - and the eventual game-winner - with his backside as he slid into Petr Mrazek's crease after being hauled down on a breakaway.
It's just one defeat from 82 games, but one the Red Wings may live to regret come mid-April.
Babcock led the Red Wings into the playoffs each season in his decade behind the bench, helping extend the organization's longest active postseason appearance streak in North American sports to 24 years. This season, under rookie head coach Jeff Blashill, the Wings will carry a three-point lead over Philadelphia - while conceding two games in hand - into the final month of the campaign after Sunday's loss.
And though his team took the points Sunday, Babcock acknowledged he'll be pulling for his former employer down the stretch.
Babcock on beating old team: "I like to win but, to be honest, I'm cheering for DET ... it's important for me" that playoff streak continues
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) March 14, 2016
The Red Wings will visit Philadelphia on Tuesday.
Toronto, meanwhile, remains in last place in the overall standings, but is now three points behind the Edmonton Oilers with a trio of games in hand.
Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Michael Grabner pulled out a horseshoe.
The snakebitten Toronto Maple Leafs winger used the seat of his pants to snap a 30-game goalless drought Sunday night while spilling into the Detroit Red Wings net on a breakaway attempt.
Grabner was initially awarded a penalty shot, but after review, it was ruled that the puck did indeed beat his person into the net.
Did tonight's Maple Leaf goal count?
— Down Goes Brown (@DownGoesBrown) March 14, 2016
Scored with:
Arm - No
Hand - No
Butt - Yes
Stick - What do we look like over here, wizards?
Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
The Tampa Bay Lightning prevented the cannon from sounding Sunday afternoon in Columbus, but didn't leave Nationwide Arena unscathed.
Forwards Nikita Kucherov and Valtteri Filppula both exited with injuries, and did not return to the 4-0 win.
There was no update after the game, and Kucherov's issue remains unclear, but the Bolts did announce during the game that Filppula suffered an upper-body injury.
It's believed Filppula suffered the knock on a hit from Blue Jackets defender Fedor Tyutin.
Kucherov has 25 goals and 54 points this season, while the modest-scoring but useful Filppula has 28 points and appeared in every game for Tampa.
Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.