Captain Dylan Larkin‘s return from a lower body injury changed everything about the Detroit Red Wings Thursday. His two goals helped Detroit down the New York Islanders 6-3. His presence increased the Red Wings’ confidence level 10 fold.
The Red Wings were 2-8 and their offense looked anemic when he was on the sideline with a lower body injury. Thursday, the team looked tighter defensively, more dangerous offensively and played with more spunk.
The question now is whether Larkin’s return fired them up for one night or their remaining 12 games. Their lead for the second wild card position is three points over the Washington Capitals.
Their new-found swagger will be tested by a five-game road trip that will include four teams already in the playoffs, plus Washington. That starts Saturday with a road game against the surging Nashville Predators.
This road trip could determine Detroit’s playoff fate. Larkin seems resolved to make sure everyone will be ready.
“If you ask any guy in that room before the season if we could be in this position, everyone would take it,” Larkin said. “When you play games like (the Islanders game), it just validates that feeling that we belong in the playoffs. That’s our goal. You know there’s gonna be bumps…There’s gonna be bumps and we’ve shown that we can stick together. That’s what’s important.
LARKIN 🚨🚨 2nd goal to make it 6-3, and gets the octopus toss.
So back, man. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/GMSejm5wxx
— Ryan Hana (@RyanHanaWWP) March 22, 2024
Red Wings In Case You Missed It
- Dylan Larkin‘s return puts a dagger into the New York Islanders in Eastern Conference wild card race.
- The Red Wings’ Identity Line played key role in Detroit’s meaningful win against the Islanders.
- Six-foot-six prospect Sebastian Cossa is measuring up well against the AHL’s other top young goalies.
- Is Simon Edvinsson proving he is ready to play in Detroit’s top four defensemen?
Red Wings Next Game
The Red Wings play a 4 p.m. game Saturday in Nashville. The Predators are the NHL’s hottest team, owning a 16-game points streak. The Predators shut out the Florida Panthers, 3-0, on Thursday night. Nashville (41-25-4) is on track to make the playoffs as a Western Conference wild card team. The Preds have eight more points than Detroit.
Hockey Now Network
Boston: It was a memorable moment when legendary vocalist Celine Dion read the Boston Bruins‘ lineup. Dion hit all the right notes with here effort. Jimmy Murphy has a fun story.
Florida: Call it the Anatomy of Payback. Colby Guy offers a fascinating look at the events leading up to Nick Cousins return engagement with Nashville player Jason Zucker. Florida Panthers.
Pittsburgh: Dave Molinari writes about the fact that the Pittsburgh Penguins still have a long-shot chance to make the playoffs. But he’s starting to look at when the knockout punch is going to come for this team.
San Jose: Sheng Peng takes an interesting look at the mental toll of trying to stay positive when the losses mount. The San Jose Sharks have had to deal with the reality of their best not being good enough