Captain Dylan Larkin was absent from the lineup of the Detroit Red Wings for the past two games. On Friday, Larkin went public with the tragic reason for his absence.
Larkin and his wife Kenzie, who were expecting their first child, have lost the baby.
“This week my wife and I said goodbye to our baby,” Larkin posted on his Instagram account. “It’s hard to find words or positivity in this, but we greatly appreciate your support and understanding, and thank you for respecting our privacy.”
The Larkins were expecting a girl in April. They were married last August.
Larkin Expected To Play Saturday
The Red Wings are in Montreal to play the Canadiens on Saturday. Following Thursday’s 5-1 home-ice win over the Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit coach Derek Lalonde was indicating that expectations are the Larkin would be back to play in that game.
“I would expect Dylan back for us on Saturday,” Lalonde said. Howver, that statement was made prior to his captain going public with the reason for his absence from the team.
Larkin was missing for Thursday’s game, as well as Wednesday’s 3-2 loss at the New York Rangers. He is currently on the club’s non-roster list, since his absence is not injury-related.
Lalonde admitted that the Red Wings were a much different club minus their on and off-ice leader.
“The lineup looks so much different with Dylan,” Lalonde said. “Even last night, it adds more minutes to some guys. Obviously, Dylan is our leading minutes guy, our No. 1 center and plays in every situation. You look at anytime he’s out and you can be successful it’s a positive.”
Larkin is leadng the Red Wings in scoring with 8-13-21 totals from 20 games. Oddly enough, he’s also leading the team in penalty minutes with 29. In his recent game, Larkin was collecting a goal and an assist last Sunday during a 4-1 win over the Minnesota Wild.
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