The longest active playoff appearance streak in the four major North American sports leagues has come to an end.
The Detroit Red Wings’ 25-year postseason appearance streak was snapped Tuesday night when a 4-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes eliminated the Original Six franchise from playoff contention in the Eastern Conference.
Here are the current postseason appearance streak leaders across the sports landscape.
NBA: San Antonio Spurs, 20 seasons
NFL: New England Patriots/Green Bay Packers, eight seasons
NHL: Pittsburgh Penguins: 11 seasons
MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers, four seasons
The Red Wings’ streak started in 1990-91, and it came just a few seasons short of tying the Boston Bruins for the NHL record.
Most Consecutive Appearances in #StanleyCup Playoffs:
29: BOS, 67/68–95/96
28: CHI, 69/70–96/97
25: STL, 79/80–03/05 and DET, 90/91–15/16— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 29, 2017
Detroit won four Stanley Cup titles (1997, 1998, 2002 and 2008) and made five Stanley Cup Final appearances during its streak.
Thumbnail photo via James Guillory/USA TODAY Sports Images
