Why Gustav Nyquist Has Kept Detroit's Playoff Hopes Alive

By Ryan Dunne on February 8, 2014

(Photo by Timothy T. Ludwig- USA TODAY Sports)

The Detroit Red Wings have the longest active playoff streak in the NHL right now at 22 straight postseason appearances. Red Wings forward Gustav Nyquist is going to be the biggest reason if the streak extends to 23.

Nyquist has been the spark the Red Wings have needed this season. In their game against the Washington Capitals on Feb. 2, Nyquist finished the game with three goals and an assist in a game that ended bitter-sweetly for him as the Red Wings lost in overtime. Nyquist’s hat trick in the game has been the only one by any Red Wings player all year.

When the season officially started, Nyquist started the year on the Grand Rapids Griffins, the affiliate to the Detroit Red Wings. Due to injuries to some of the Detroit starters, Nyquist was called up to fill the void until key players returned healthy. Nyquist is still there and is now considered one of those key players for the Red Wings moving forward.

In his 32 games played this season, Nyquist has 14 goals and 10 assists to give Detroit the boost they need to make a playoff push and a run at the Stanley Cup title. Detroit’s record when Nyquist finishes a game with at least one point is 11-2-4. Their record when he doesn’t? Four-10-1. So the answer to Detroit’s woes is to continue to feed the puck to the man on the ice who is out to prove he not only belongs on the Detroit roster, but that he deserves to be a first-line player.

Nyquist has blazing speed and is becoming more aggressive when it comes to attacking the zones of opposing teams.

Nyquist stated “I got to use my speed instead of standing still–shoot a little bit more, create rebound opportunities, go to the net a little bit more.”

His tough style along with sharp shooting and quick speed to beat defenders could be exactly what the Red Wings have been looking for in the future.

Nyquist’s presence for Detroit this year has given the Red Wings playoff life in what looked like could’ve been a year where the team didn’t get an opportunity to play more than their 82 game schedule. But with Nyquist being a man on a mission, his biggest mission is simple: keep the streak alive.