By Kenneth W Paczas
The Motor City Red Wings just did something we haven't seen in NHL history but twice before. They won their 20th consecutive home game. They did so knocking off the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday night.
Ironically enough, the 20-game streak ties the Flyers for longest all time. The Bruins are the other holder of the record from way back in the 1920’s. What a great accomplishment, and in today’s NHL, this is a remarkable feat. However, anyone know doesn’t wear Red Wing tinted glasses, knows that this streak deserves an asterisk.
The Flyers won all of theirs in regulation. No shootouts, just 20 straight victories in regulation. The Wings have won three times during this streak because of the shootout.
The Red Wings had a benefit the other two teams didn't. They have the shootout to help them settle ties. In the pre-shootout era, this streak would be described as a 20-game unbeaten streak. Again, that's exceptional and very noteworthy. It's just not the same.
This reminds me a lot of Roger Maris surpassing Babe Ruth's record with 61 home runs in 1961. He had the benefit of playing eight extra games. Maris was still honored as the record holder for years, but there was always that little asterisk.
Different eras hold different advantages. When the Bruins won, they had full overtimes. The Flyers didn’t have free agency or a salary cap. However, you can’t deny that the Flyers winning 20 in a row is more impressive than the Wings.
The Wings can shut everyone up by winning 3-5 more games. Then at that point, everyone, including me, can stick that in our pipes and smoke it. However, I don’t think they care much to get to 25. They have one goal in mind and that is Lord Stanley.
The one positive this has done for the Wings, is put them in position for the Presidents Trophy. If they were to get home ice for the entire playoffs, they would have to be one of the favorites to win their first cup since 2008.
If history follows suit, the Wings won’t win it. In 1929-30, and 1975-76, when the Bruins and Flyers won 20 in a row, the Montreal Canadians won the cup both years. So the smart money is to bet the Habs right?
However, the last two times the Patriots lost in the Superbowl, in 1997, and 2008, the Wings won the cup. Can the third time be a charm? Either way, this season has been amazing to watch.
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