TORONTO - The Detroit Red Wings need every point they can get as they fight to keep an astounding playoff streak alive.

Jimmy Howard made 32 saves as the Red Wings got a much-needed victory on Saturday night by holding on to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 in the final meeting between the clubs this season.

"Getting two points," Howard said. "That's all that matters at this point in time is just continuing to go out there and find a way to get points."

The victory pushed Detroit (91 points) past the Boston Bruins (90 points) for third spot in the Atlantic Division. The Red Wings, who have made the playoffs for 24 straight seasons, are jostling with Boston (one game in hand), Philadelphia (two games in hand), and the New York Islanders (two games in hand) for a spot in the post-season.

Detroit can nail down a spot by winning its final three games in regulation. The Red Wings host the Flyers in a critical matchup on Wednesday night before visiting the Bruins on Thursday in another key game. They conclude the season in midtown Manhattan against the Rangers next Saturday.

"The mindset is Philly on Wednesday," Detroit captain Henrik Zetterberg said. "We knew that we had it in our own hands for the last week. If we took care of business and win games we would be in just because we're playing teams that are battling for those spots."

Howard, who was the back up to Petr Mrazek for most of the season, proved the difference by outdueling Garret Sparks in the Toronto goal.

Saturday marked only the 30th start of the season for the New York state native and long-time starter for Detroit, who is on track to post career-worsts in save percentage (.906) and goals-against average (2.81).

Howard was at his best when the Red Wings needed him against the Leafs, holding back a Toronto rush late in the second period and into the final period as the Leafs raced back from a 2-0 deficit. Howard stopped 24-of-26 shots over the final 40 minutes.

"I just thought he looked really solid," Detroit head coach Jeff Blashill said. "I thought he looked in control of himself. I thought he made saves, at times, look easy. His rebound control was good, when there was rebounds, he was in the cage to battle for second pucks.

"It looks like he has lots of confidence for sure."

The 32-year-old's best save of the night came on a Nazem Kadri rebound attempt less than a minute into the third and 46 seconds before Kyle Quincey wired a shot past the left pad of Sparks to up the Detroit lead to 3-1.

Brad Richards and Jonathan Ericsson opened the scoring in the first. Richards beat Sparks clean on a Detroit power play with Ericsson following up less than 10 minutes later on a blast that sailed past a maze of traffic and into the Toronto goal.

Colin Greening brought the Leafs to within one early in the second, depositing a creative feed from William Nylander, who whirled through the Detroit zone with control of the puck before slinging it through the Detroit crease. His passing attempt pinged off a Red Wings skate before it was deposited by Greening.

Nylander, 19, added his fifth NHL goal for the Leafs late in regulation.

Detroit held on for its 27th one-goal victory of the season — tied with the Washington Capitals for most in the league.

"I'm just thankful to be able to have the opportunity and sort of have the ball and run with it a little bit," said Howard.

The Red Wings are in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 1990 despite holding tentative control of a playoff position. Their 24-consecutive season streak of post-season hockey is currently the longest in the NHL.

"Our focus at the beginning of the year with this hockey team, though, was to try to win a Stanley Cup," Blashill said when asked about the streak before the game. "To do that you have to gain entrance into the Stanley Cup playoffs and that's been our singular focus to do that more than anything else."

Saturday was another step in the right direction — one of many in the week ahead.

"We can enjoy this now for the flight home," Howard said. "And then get ready for Philly on Wednesday."