TORONTO - Two consecutive victories this weekend have put the Detroit Red Wings in position to control their playoff chances.

Wins Friday over the Minnesota Wild and Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs moved the Red Wings into third place in the Atlantic Division and they can stay there if they win their remaining three games in regulation.

It's that simple.

The Red Wings (40-28-11) lead Boston by one point in the Eastern Conference and although the Bruins have one game in hand, they also play the Red Wings in the second-to-last game of the season.

So if the Red Wings win all three games, they'll finish with 97 points while the most Boston could finish with would be 96.

"We knew that we had it in our own hands for the last week," captain Henrik Zetterberg said after Saturday's 3-2 win over the Maple Leafs at Air Canada Center. "So if we took care of business and win games, we'd be in just because we're playing teams that are battling for those spots.

"But until we play them we have to win games, so those games matter. We done that now and now we just had a nice day off tomorrow and regroup on Monday."

In addition to the game against Boston, the Red Wings host Philadelphia - which is also battling for one of the final playoff spots in the East - on Wednesday before finishing the season Saturday in New York against the Rangers.

The game against the Flyers could be the most difficult of the three. The Red Wings have beaten both Boston and the Rangers this season but they're 0-1-1 against Philadelphia.

The Flyers hold down the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference and are tied with the Red Wings at 91 points apiece. But Philadelphia has two games in hand so finished ahead of Boston appears to be Detroit's most likely path to a 25th straight playoff berth.

"We knew we had to win games, whether Philly won or didn't win we gotta win hockey games," said Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill. "We wanted to come into this weekend and win two to put ourselves into position where next Wednesday's game matters and next Wednesday's game is going to matter regardless of what Philly does.

"So let's get ready to play Wednesday."

The Red Wings never trailed against Toronto after Brad Richards and Mike Green scored in the first period to give them a 2-0 lead. .

The Maple Leafs pulled within one twice - including with 67 seconds left on a goal by William Nylander - but Kyle Quincey's goal early in the third period that provided a 3-1 lead held up as the game winner.

Jimmy Howard made 32 saves for the Red Wings while playing on back-to-back nights for the first time this season.

"I guess I haven't given it much thought along those lines but you know it feels good," Howard said when asked if it helps the Red Wings being in control of their fate. "We can enjoy this now for the flight home and then get ready for Philly on Wednesday."

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