Red Wings secure a trip to the NHL playoffs for the 23rd straight season

By Michael Caples – 

It didn’t matter if they won or lost Wednesday night.

All that mattered was that they took it to overtime.

The Red Wings managed to force extra hockey in their game against the Penguins out in Pittsburgh Wednesday night, thanks to a late goal from Riley Sheahan. His forth of the season made it a 3-3 game, and the ensuing regulation tie gave the Red Wings the point they needed to wrap up a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Detroit will be in the NHL playoffs for the 23rd straight season now, as they continue to build on their professional sports record for current consecutive postseason appearances.

Here is the goal that secured the Wings’ spot in the postseason, scored by Sheahan at the 18:45 mark of the third period:

While it doesn’t matter much tonight, the Wings ended up losing 4-3 in the following shootout.

Last season, we posted a list of things that happened last time the Red Wings’ didn’t make the NHL playoffs, to serve as perspective for their impressive consistency. Check that list out right here.