Red Wings Extend Playoff Streak To 22 While Earning 7th Seed

Apr 27, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jonathan Ericsson (52), defenseman Niklas Kronwall (55), center Henrik Zetterberg (40), left wing Justin Abdelkader (8), center Pavel Datsyuk (13), and defenseman Jonathan Ericsson (52) celebrate a goal against the Dallas Stars during the third period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

What and incredible stretch run for the Red Wings! They played 4 games in games in 6 days with their backs against the wall and ran the table. The  improbable win streak started last Monday April 22 with a 4-0 win over the Phoenix Coyotes and ended with an impressive 3-0 victory over the Stars in Dallas.

Seems everything came together for the Red Wings during the streak.  Jimmy Howard was a brick wall gathering two shutouts while only allowing 3 goals in four games.  The Red Wings goal scorers started heating up averaging 3.75 goals over the 4 game stretch.  And it wasn’t just the goal scorers that contributed.  All four lines contributed with big hits, penalty kills and assists as the Detroit Red Wings started looking like the perennial Stanley Cup Contender we all know and love.

Usually the Wings have their playoff spot locked up long before the last week of the season.  But this strike shortened season was a bit different.  In fact many pundits including this writer suggested trading some of the Red Wings veterans at the trade deadline to start the rebuilding process.  It was difficult to imagine that this team would make a run at the playoffs. But the win or go home pressure of the final week of the season brought the team back from the brink and has them playing their best hockey of the season.

The win over the Stars extends the Red Wings playoff streak to a historic 22 consecutive years. A period of dominance by a team that is considered one of the elite franchises in all of sport. Earning the seventh seed was important for Red Wings. With it they avoid a first round match-up with the red-hot Chicago Blackhawks.  The Anaheim Ducks are beatable and if the Red Wings can advance to the Conference Semi -Finals it most likely be an epic match-up against the Chicago Blackhawks.

The 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin Monday with the Red Wings first game coming on Tuesday in Anaheim against the Ducks. Keep logging on to Detroit Jock City for all the latest on the Red Wings as they play for a chance to win Lord Stanley’s Cup.