Carolina Hurricanes Beat Detroit and End Red Wings’ 25 Consecutive Year Playoff Run

A lot has happened since the 1989-90 hockey season. There have been four presidents, three Popes, three wars, and the Cubs winning the World Series, just to name a few. That season, the Detroit Red Wings reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs after falling short the previous season. The Red Wings lost to the St. Louis Blues in the opening round in seven games, but the post season appearance was the beginning of a long streak.

On March 28th, 2017 the Red Wings lost 4-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, and Detroit was eliminated from post season eligibility for the first time in 25 years. (Recall that there was no 2004-5 NHL season due to a lockout). During that stretch, the Red Wings won four Stanley Cups, most recently in the 2007-8 season over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Detroit has been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs the last three seasons. This 25 year run is actually tied for third longest in NHL history behind the 29 year streak of the Boston Bruins (1967-96) and the 28 year run of the Chicago Blackhawks in 1969-97. The St. Louis Blues also had a 25 year run in 1979-2004.