Detroit Red Wings
A 2026 playoff berth decided by a Red Wings loss.
The Tampa Bay Lightning and the Detroit Red Wings are both National Hockey League (NHL) franchises. The Lightning were established on December 16, 1991, and the 2025–26 season was their 34th. On April 4, 2026, the Lightning clinched a playoff berth for the ninth consecutive season following a loss by the Detroit Red Wings to the New York Rangers.
Reader's Guide
The 2025–26 season created a unique link between the Lightning and the Red Wings. The Lightning's playoff hopes were directly impacted by the outcome of a Red Wings game. On April 4, 2026, the Lightning clinched a playoff berth following a loss by the Detroit Red Wings to the New York Rangers. This marked the ninth consecutive playoff appearance for the Lightning. The Red Wings' loss was the specific event that allowed the Lightning to secure their spot. Later in the season, the Toronto Maple Leafs missed the playoffs for the first time since 2015–16, which meant the Lightning and the Colorado Avalanche now hold the longest active playoff streak in the NHL. The Lightning's own postseason ended in the first round, where they were eliminated in seven games by the Montreal Canadiens.
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