ATTABOY, JIRI!

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Jiri Hudler's best playoff performance since he wore a Griffins crest has the Detroit Red Wings one win away from the Stanley Cup.

The former AHL all-star broke a 1-1 tie 2:26 into the third period of Game 4 on Saturday, scoring the game-winning goal on a backhander to put the Red Wings on the brink of their fourth Stanley Cup in the last 12 years. Game 5 is set for 8 p.m. Monday at Joe Louis Arena, with Detroit holding a commanding 3-1 series lead.

Hudler, Detroit's fourth-leading playoff scorer, enjoyed his most impactful postseason effort since Game 7 of the 2006 AHL North Division Finals. In that memorable contest against the Manitoba Moose, he set a Griffins playoff record with five assists and tied a mark with five points, helping Grand Rapids mount the greatest comeback in its playoff history.

Down 4-1 in the waning moments of the second period, the regular season champion Griffins scored the game’s final four goals. Hudler, who assisted on a pair of Valtteri Filppula tallies in the comeback, fed Darryl Bootland for the last of his five helpers with just 2:06 remaining, lifting the Griffins to an incredible 5-4 victory.

To re-live that unforgettable game, click here.