TOR 2, DET 1: Reimer stymies Red Wings, Maple Leafs prevail in shootout

It was a game the Toronto Maple Leafs had no business winning, but somehow, some way, they did.

James Reimer made 41 saves as the Maple Leafs rallied to stun the Detroit Red Wings, snapping Detroit's three-game win streak in a 2-1 shootout victory at Joe Louis Arena on Wednesday night.

Leafs forward Mike Santorelli beat Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard in the third round of the shootout to give Toronto the victory.

Phil Kessel tied the game early in the third period, stretching out to tip in a pass from James van Riemsdyk.

Red Wings forward Gustav Nyquist scored his 13th goal of the season late in the second period to give Detroit the early lead. 

The Red Wings out-shot the Leafs 42-19 in the contest, and the Leafs' possession numbers looked like an EKG reading of a comatose patient for much of the game.

(Courtesy: HockeyStats.ca)

Maple Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle was in a joking mood when asked about Reimer's performance after the game.

It was Reimer's first start since he gave up six goals in a 6-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Nov. 15.

Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock didn't share Carlyle's jovial mood.

Toronto has now won three consecutive games and seven of their last nine.