Dylan Larkin returned to the Detroit Red Wings lineup Tuesday after missing the first two games of the season with an upper-body injury and facing boos from fans after his offseason trade request.
The former captain found no trouble in responding quickly, scoring a goal and providing an assist in Detroit’s 5-3 win over the Ottawa Senators.
After all of the drama of a still-ongoing saga, Larkin gave Detroit its first lead of the season by finishing a Viktor Arvidsson pass in the first period. Larkin later helped create Arvidsson’s power-play goal in the second, finishing with two points and four shots in 20:41 of ice time.
Larkin’s goal also produced a restrained celebration, prompting the former Red Wings captain to explain it during his postgame media availability.
“It’s interesting, right?” Larkin said. “You score, and like I said to you guys, I’m trying to be a man and face it, and I don’t want to offend anyone with over-celebrating, with knowing the situation that’s going on.
“But with all that, scoring a goal in the NHL, scoring a goal for this team when we needed it, it felt pretty good.”
Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images
Head coach Todd McLellan said after the game that Larkin “played with his heart on his sleeve,” and the forward was named the game’s first star.
Larkin, meanwhile, added that getting back on the ice provided him a much-needed reset after months of attention surrounding his future in Detroit.
“For a hockey player, it’s the best medicine, is just to play,” Larkin said. “And just enjoy it and think about the kid that would be killing to be out there. That’s really, for all of us, what it’s all about.”
