So many fans of the Detroit Red Wings have been focused on whether their team can avoid another first-round upset. They breathe easier with the Red Wings taking the first two games of their series with the Nashville Predators, enough so they can celebrate the 248th playoff appearance by Chris Chelios in Saturday’s 4-2 win.

That’s a new league record. The 46-year-old defenseman has appeared in the Stanley Cup playoffs in half of the years he’s been alive. His 23 years of playoff action also is a record.

Speaking of his age, the 24-year veteran became the second-oldest player to take the ice in an NHL contest earlier this season. Chelios still has a ways to go to catch Hall of Famer Gordie Howe, who still laced up the skates with the Hartford Whalers after turning 52 in March 1980, during his last NHL campaign. That hasn’t kept teammates from ribbing Chelios about setting the playoff record.

“When you play until you’re 60, what do you expect?” teammate Darren McCarty joked.

On Saturday, Chelios surpassed long-time Montreal and Colorado goalie Patrick Roy in playoff game appearances. Here are the others who have appeared in at least 230 playoff contests.

Most Playoff Games Played, All-Time

Player. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Games
Chris Chelios. . . . . . . . . . . .248
Patrick Roy. . . . . . . . . . . . .247
Mark Messier. . . . . . . . . . . 236
Claude Lemieux. . . . . . . . . 233
Scott Stevens. . . . . . . . . . .233
Guy Carbonneau. . . . . . . . .231

No real surprises here, though Claude Lemieux is noteworthy for finding a way into the postseason with whatever team he played. He made playoff appearances with Montreal, New Jersey, Colorado, Phoenix and Dallas.