Detroit Red Wings clinch 25th straight NHL playoff berth

The Detroit Red Wings are headed back to the NHL playoffs for the 25th straight season, but can they make a run for the Stanley Cup, or is this a wasted trip?

The Detroit Red Wings lost 3-2 to the New York Rangers on Saturday, but thanks to a Boston Bruins’ loss, they clinched the third playoff spot out of the Atlantic Division by having one less loss on their record than Boston at 41-30-11.

With 93 points, the Red Wings clinch the sixth seed and have less points than both of the Wildcard teams, the New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers. So while the continued streak is nice, how realistic is a deep run for this team?

Squeaking into the postseason is rarely a good sign that the team is really ready to contend, but some big injuries on other teams in the East could open up a path for the Red Wings to advance. This is especially true of their first round opponent.

They are facing the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round who finished second in the Atlantic Division, and their recent injury troubles could work out in Detroit’s favor. After early struggles, the Lightning seemed to be finding their form late, looking like the team that made it all the way to the Cup Finals. But injuries to two key players, Anton Stralman, and Steven Stamkos, could be devastating to their playoff chances.

If Detroit can make it out of the first round, the road only gets tougher with the Washington Capitals looking like a lock to make the Cup Finals. But this is the playoffs and Cinderella runs do happen.

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