Dylan Larkin Powering Red Wings Back to Playoffs

“[Larkin] is not letting the Detroit Red Wings miss the playoffs this year,” Patrick Maroon, a 14-year NHL veteran who now works for NHL Network, said of the American center.

He’s not wrong.

Larkin’s Leadership Setting the Tone for Red Wings

Through 52 games, Larkin has posted 25 goals and 22 assists. His 47 points rank third on the team behind Lucas Raymond and Alex DeBrincat. But it’s Larkin’s leadership and selflessness — he’s been Detroit’s captain since 2021 — that separate him from the rest of the pack. His response after his heroic game-winner was emblematic of that fact. Instead of claiming all the glory, he credited Moritz Seider, who stole the puck from Easton Cowan, allowing Larkin to deliver the Red Wings the victory.

“That’s diesel right there,” Larkin said after the game in compliment of his teammate. “He has a diesel engine. He chases guys like that in practice all the time, and I knew when he started chasing Cowan that he was going to get the puck because he does it. He plays like that starting in training camp every day, really. Strong stick, strong skater. He almost put it in the corner, but I caught up to it and was able to finish it off. I would have liked to go back to him to reward him for all the hard work, but I ran out of real estate.”

But Larkin does deserve some praise, because without him there’s no way the Red Wings would be where they are at the moment. What’s more, he continues to make history night in and night out. The overtime goal against Toronto was his 12th game-winner in an extra period of his career, which tied him with Sergei Fedorov — another Detroit legend — for the most all time in franchise history. Again, Larkin deflected the acclaim, instead bringing attention to just how amazing Fedorov was.

“It’s an asterisk, because if he had 3-on-3 overtime, no one would be catching that,” Larkin said.

He’s probably not wrong about that.

What’s Next for the Red Wings?

Thirty games separate Detroit from its first appearance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs since the 2015-16 season. All it has to do is finish this race strong. Of course, that’s easier said than done, but if anybody can help lead a team to the place it needs to be, it’s Larkin. He’s got that “C” on his chest for a reason: He’s a leader who desires the best for his club.

“Dylan Larkin’s not going to be denied this year,” Maroon said.

If Larkin has anything to say about it, that prophecy will lead to the Red Wings being back in the playoffs, right where the franchise belongs.