This season, one of the greatest streaks in hockey history came to an end as the Detroit Red Wings missed the playoffs for the first time since the 1989-90 season.
This season was also Detroit's first season without Pavel Datsyuk since the 2000-01 campaign as the legendary Red Wing decided to go to the KHL.
Datsyuk brought his winning ways to Russia as his team, Saint Petersburg, won the KHL's Gagarin Cup.
Tuesday, Datsyuk spoke to Daria Tuboltseva, and she asked him about a variety of topics, including his thoughts on the Red Wings' playoff streak coming to an end, and what he said might surprise some fans:
It's interesting that Datsyuk thinks the playoff streak coming to an end was a good thing, but it kind of makes sense when you think about it.
Detroit's rebuilding and the young players on that team now don't have the weight of keeping that streak going on their shoulders.
Obviously there's always pressure to make the playoffs every year, but that pressure was way more significant in Detroit thanks to the streak.
Now that it's over, though, the team can start a new streak in a new arena next season.
(H/T: Igor Eronko)
