Detroit sports is telling two very different stories right now as the Detroit Red Wings recently missed the playoffs for a tenth straight season. Despite flashes of promise during the year, they were unable to hold their position and ultimately fell out of the postseason race.

Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons have given the city a reason to be excited. After returning to the playoffs last season and losing in six games to the New York Knicks, the Pistons have taken a major leap forward. They finished this season with the top record in the East at 60-22 and establishing themselves as a legitimate title contender.

There was a point during the season when both the Red Wings and Pistons were leading their respective conferences, sparking hope of a memorable year across Motor City sports. That momentum did not last for the Red Wings, but the Pistons stayed consistent and never let their grip on the top spot slip.

Now, Detroit turns its attention to the NBA playoffs, where the Pistons will open their first-round series against the Orlando Magic on Sunday night. With the way they have played all season, expectations are high for a deep run.

The city has not celebrated a major championship since 2008, when the Red Wings captured the Stanley Cup. The Pistons now have an opportunity to end that drought and bring a title back to the Motor City.

Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.