Red Wings clinch 25th consecutive playoff berth

The streak is alive.

Despite a loss to the New York Rangers on Saturday, the Detroit Red Wings have clinched a playoff spot for the 25th consecutive year, thanks to a concurrent Boston Bruins loss.

Detroit will face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round.

The Red Wings' run matches the third-longest string of consecutive playoff appearances in NHL history.

• 29 years - Boston Bruins (1967-68 to 1995-96)
• 28 years - Chicago Blackhawks (1969-70 to 1996-97)
• 25 years - St. Louis Blues (1979-80 to 2003-04)

The Red Wings have won four Stanley Cups since the streak began in 1991, with only the cancelled postseason of 2005 keeping the city of Detroit from enjoying hockey past the 82 regular-season games.