Detroit Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde announced on Monday that captain Dylan Larkin will be out approximately two weeks with a lower-body injury.
The injury is a tough blow for a Red Wings squad that’s trying to hold onto a playoff spot. Going into March 4, the Red Wings were 33-22-6 with 72 points, holding the No. 1 wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. As of today, the Red Wings are tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning, who hold the No. 2 wild card spot, and six points ahead of the New York Islanders.
If Larkin were to miss two weeks, that would take him out of Detroit’s next seven games, five of which are against non-playoff teams like the Arizona Coyotes (twice), Buffalo Sabres (twice) and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Three or four wins could help them navigate through the window with Larkin and continue maintaining a playoff spot.
The 27-year-old Larkin has been a force this season, scoring 26 goals and 28 assists for 54 points in 55 games, leading the team in scoring despite missing six games earlier in the season.
Less than a week ahead of the March 8 NHL Trade Deadline, general manager Steve Yzerman now has to decide just how much he wants to add in order to secure this team’s spot in the post-season.
Forwards Alex DeBrincat and Lucas Raymond have been terrific for this Red Wing squad, each scoring over 50 points, and new addition Patrick Kane has been a great signing for Yzerman, scoring 31 points in 30 games.
The Red Wings next game is Wednesday on the road when they face the Colorado Avalanche.
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