10 most impressive sports streaks of all time

8. Detroit Red Wings 25-Straight Playoff Berths and Counting (1991-Present)

Many of the streaks that make the cut here involve wins, championships, and so on. However, what the Detroit Red Wings have accomplished over the past three decades stands out in that regard. Though they have just four Stanley Cup Championships over their run, that they’ve made the playoffs for 25-straight years is 100 percent deserving of being among the most impressive sports streaks of all-time.

It’s not the longest postseason streak in NHL history, but considering it’s taken place during the most competitive era with salary cap ramifications makes it the most impressive. While Detroit has enjoyed a postseason berth for 2.5 decades and counting at this point, last missing the playoffs in 1990, the closest streak of this kind behind them is the Pittsburgh Penguins who are in the midst of 10 consecutive playoff appearances. That means they have 15-straight appearances left to go before they catch the streak that Detroit is currently still enjoying.

What’s more, this is a streak that is also untouched in any of the major North American pro leagues. No team in the NBA, NFL or NBA can boast anything that rivals what the Red Wings have been able to do in terms of making the postseason. And again, these trips haven’t all been fruitless as they hoisted the Stanley Cup in 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2008. So while 4-for-25 isn’t the most efficient mark, that they’ve had a chance for 25 years in a row and counting is remarkable in its own right.