Red Wings top Blue Jackets 7-2, clinch playoff bid

By Larry Lage

Associated Press

Published: Monday, March 26 2012 8:49 p.m. MDT

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Detroit Red Wings left wing Tomas Holmstrom (96) of Sweden, facing camera, is congratulated on his second goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Detroit, Monday, March 26, 2012.

Carlos Osorio, Associated Press

Summary

Tomas Holmstrom scored two goals and the Detroit Red Wings earned a team-record 21st consecutive playoff berth with a 7-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night.

DETROIT — Tomas Holmstrom scored two goals and the Detroit Red Wings earned a team-record 21st consecutive playoff berth with a 7-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night.

Detroit broke its team record of 20 straight seasons of reaching the playoffs set from 1939-58.

Detroit's playoff streak is the longest active run in professional sports.

The NBA's San Antonio Spurs are expected to extend their playoff streak to 15 years; the Philadelphia Phillies have been in five straight postseasons in baseball; and the Baltimore Ravens have been in the NFL playoffs four consecutive years.

Holmstrom scored twice to help the Red Wings take a 4-0 lead less than 10 minutes into the game. They had a 6-0 cushion midway through the second period and a seven-goal lead early in the third.

Columbus is in last place in the NHL with 55 points.

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