A three-point game, an assist, and a game-saving defensive play; week #1 had it all for Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin. Here’s a look at this week’s Red Wings’ top performer.
Home Opener on Friday: Detroit (3) – Montreal (0)
In the home opener on Friday, Dylan Larkin contributed an assist on the game-clinching goal in the Red Wings’ 3-0 victory over Montreal. Larkin played on the power play, killed penalties, and took a regular shift in the victory. Larkin was the only Red Wings forward to play over 20 minutes on the night.
On the night, Larkin had four shots on goal, one hit, one giveaway, and a +1 rating. In the faceoff circle, Larkin won 48% of the draws he took on the evening.
Saturday: Detroit (5) – New Jersey (2)
On Saturday night in New Jersey, Larkin again was the only Detroit forward to play over 20 minutes. He played on the power play, killed penalties, and played on Detroit’s top line. Larkin scored Detroit’s 4th goal of the game and added two assists in the Red Wings’ 5-2 victory over the Devils.
On the night, Larkin had two shots on goal, one blocked shot, and one giveaway and had a +4 rating on the night. In the faceoff circle, Larkin won 55% of the draws he took on the evening. Larkin earned 2nd star of the game for his efforts.
Monday: LA Kings (5) – Detroit (4) in OT
Back home on Monday, the Red Wings played a spirited game against the Kings. The game was back and forth all night. After falling behind 4-3 with less than seven minutes to play in the third period, the Red Wings pressed but could not score. After gaining possession of the puck, goaltender Ville Husso went to the bench for an extra attacker. In their end, the Kings gained possession of the puck, and Viktor Arvidsson was sent in on an open-net breakaway. Dylan Larkin rushed on the backcheck and made what may be the best defensive play of the year, poke-checking the puck into the corner and saving a goal. Later with the man advantage, Oskar Sundqvist scored the game-tying goal that sent the game into OT.
Even though Larkin did not earn any points on the night, the Red Wings ended up salvaging a point with the OT loss. Larkin played over 23 minutes on the night, leading all Detroit players. He had six shots on goal, a +1 rating, and was 50% in the faceoff circle.
Totals for the Week
In three games, Dylan Larkin scored one goal, three assists, a +6 rating, and 12 shots on goal. Larkin currently leads the Red Wings in assists, +/-, minutes played by a forward, and shots on goal. For these reasons and the game-saving effort late in Monday’s game, Dylan Larkin is my Detroit Red Wings Player of the Week.
The Week Ahead for Detroit
Friday, October 21 @ Chicago, 8:30 PM ET at United Center in Chicago, IL
Sunday, October 23 vs. Anaheim, 5:00 PM ET at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI
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