DETROIT -- There were a number of scenarios entering Tuesday's game that would have ended with the Penguins clinching a playoff berth for the 13th consecutive season, the longest active postseason appearance streak.
It didn't happen, not on this night. The Penguins fell 4-1 to a Red Wings squad that was nearly half-comprised of players from the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins. The Penguins didn't gain any ground in the playoff push from any out-of-town game, either. The Canadiens defeated the Lightning, 4-2, and the Hurricanes beat the Maple Leafs 4-1.
With two games remaining in the season, a playoff spot isn't guaranteed.
"You only have so many chances to clinch," Sidney Crosby said after the game. "We've got these guys again, so we've got to regroup. But we did some good things, we've just got to look at our mistakes, and find a way to execute a little better around the net. If we do that, we'll get the result we want."
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