DETROIT — How did that happen?
A game the Red Wings appeared to have in control disappeared, as the Toronto Maple Leafs rallied for a 7-4 victory on Saturday.
The Leafs scored scored three goals in 7 minutes, 41 seconds late in the third period, capped by Rasmus Sandin scoring his first goal of the season at 17:09, breaking a 4-4 tie.
Mitch Marner and John Tavares had empty-net goals.
Michael Bunting had a hat trick, his last two goals 2:30 apart midway in the third period, tying the score, 4-4.
On the tying goal, Bunting's 12th, Mitch Marner stickhandled through the slot and fed Bunting alone near the crease for the easy tap in.
Bunting had cut the lead to 4-3 at 9:28, batting in Auston Matthews' shot from the slot.
Dylan Larkin had two goals (one a power play), and Tyler Bertuzzi and Vladislav Namestnikov added the others. Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 30 shots.
Pierre Engvall had the other Leafs goal, while Petr Mrazek made 31 saves to earn the victory.
Larkin opened the scoring just 1:15 into the game, then one-timed a pass from Robby Fabbri on the power play at 15:54 of the second period, his 22nd goal, giving the Wings a 4-2 lead.
Namestnikov and Bertuzzi scored 55 seconds apart early in the second period, breaking a 1-1 tie.
The night was extra special for Jeff Blashill, who was coaching his 500th game with the Wings. Only Jack Adams (964), Sid Abel (811), Mike Babcock (786), and Scotty Bowman (701) have coached more for the Wings.
The stunning defeat sent the Wings to 19-20-6 for the season, while Toronto moved to 27-10-3.
