Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

How does Detroit’s 20-game home winning streak measure up?

Radek Dvorak, Henrik Zetterberg

Dallas Stars right wing Radek Dvorak (20), of Czech Republic, prepares to clear a puck as Detroit Red Wings center Henrik Zetterberg (40), of Sweden, gives chase in the third period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, in Dallas. The Red Wings won 3-2 in a shootout. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

AP

Now that Detroit has won 20 straight home games and tied the NHL record also held by the 1929-30 Boston Bruins and 1975-76 Philadelphia Flyers, it’s worth asking: Is Detroit’s run just as impressive as the two that came before it?

It’s a purely academic question, but it is worth pointing out, as Brian Hedger did for the NHL.com, that the Boston Bruins 20-game home winning streak came at the end of their season and they won their first two home matchups in 1930-31. So if you want to get technical, the Bruins actually won 22 straight home games – but the NHL only counts streaks that span over a single season. Additionally, while Detroit and Boston had the benefit of overtime – and in Detroit’s case the shootout – the 75-76 Flyers were forced to win all 20 of their contests in regulation time.

So does that mean that the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins home winning streaks are more impressive? Maybe, but that doesn’t mean that what Detroit has accomplished is any less remarkable. Their record tying performance on Sunday is the latest high note of one of the most persistent dynasties in NHL history. Detroit hasn’t missed the playoffs since 1989-90 and despite some fierce competition, it looks like they will not only continue that trend, but they might do so in style by winning the Central Division for the 10th time in 11 seasons. That high seed would certainly be great for the Red Wings because – as we’ve all seen – they really know how to make the most of home ice advantage.