When we look back at the 2016-17 season for the Detroit Red Wings, it will be remembered for some sad endings.
It began without Pavel Datsyuk. We knew that their last game at Joe Louis Arena this season would be their last ever. And now we know that Joe Louis Arena won’t be home to another playoff run.
After 25 straight seasons of making the playoffs - quite often managing deep runs - the Red Wings were officially eliminated on Tuesday night. In getting this far, they enjoyed one of the greatest runs of longevity in NHL history:
Most Consecutive Appearances in #StanleyCup Playoffs:
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 29, 2017
29: BOS, 67/68–95/96
28: CHI, 69/70–96/97
25: STL, 79/80–03/05 and DET, 90/91–15/16
Tonight revolves largely around East teams winning and teams clinching bids - the Edmonton Oilers could very well end the league’s longest playoff drought this evening - but this story is more solemn.
EA Sports tweeted out a great infographic:
“Right now it’s hard to talk about it, because you’re a big reason why it’s not continuing,” Henrik Zetterberg said in an NHL.com report absolutely worth your time.
Mike “Doc” Emrick narrated a great look back at Joe Louis Arena here: