What were you doing on March 27, 1990?
The Detroit Red Wings were doing something they hadn’t since until March 28, 2017 - they were losing a game and being eliminated for the Stanley Cup playoff picture.
While the reality for some time has been that the Wings astonishing and impressive 25-season run of playoff appearances was about to end, it wasn’t official until Tuesday, when they fell 4-1 to the Hurricanes at Carolina.
Coupled with wins by the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs, the Wings rubber stamped their absence from the postseason.
“We’ve been talking about this for the last two months,… Detroit captain Henrik Zetterberg said. “It’s a great streak. The guys who’ve been a part of it should be proud of it.
“Unfortunately it’s over. We’ve just got to move on and look for the future.…
Detroit previously missed the playoffs in 1989-90, and were officially eliminated in a 6-5 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on March 27, 1990 at Joe Louis Arena.
Nosek No. 1 Detroit’s lone tally was a milestone marker, the first NHL goal for rookie forward Tomas Nosek.
“I just wanted to put it in, that’s it,… Nosek said. “I was so close a couple times already but I didn’t put it in so I keep in mind to make sure it goes in. I’m very happy for the goal but we lost so that’s a little bit bad.…
Nosek gathered a memento from a game most Wings would rather forget.
“Millsie (Drew Miller) got the puck for me so thanks for him,… Nosek said. “A lot of guys said congrats to me, so I’m very happy.…
Roster Moves Forward Ben Street was recalled from AHL Grand Rapids and made his Red Wings debut in place of Luke Glendening, who suffered an ankle injury in Monday’s win over the Hurricanes.
Street, 30, had seen duty in 29 previous NHL games with the Calgary Flames (19) and Colorado Avalanche (10). “Ben Street’s a good player,… Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said. “I’ve known him a bit as a player. He’s smart. He stepped in, he did a good job.
“I thought that line did a real good job on the night.…
Niklas Kronwall returned to the Detroit defense after sitting out Monday’s game and forward Andreas Athanasiou, who’d scored back-to-back overtime winners Sunday and Monday, was a surprise scratch.
“I’m not sure,… Blashill said of Athanasiou’s status. “I just know he wasn’t available to play tonight.…
Defenseman Dan Renouf, who made his NHL debut Monday, was returned to Grand Rapids.
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