Dylan Larkin’s goal at 4:41 of the third period on Friday night wasn’t the prettiest or most obvious, as it required review, but the eventual game-winner earned the Detroit Red Wings a big two points in the ever-so-tight Eastern Conference.
The goal was the 266th of Larkin’s career and 24th on the season, moving the Wings captain into 10th all-time on the Red Wings career goal list, passing John Ogrodnick. Linemate Lucas Raymond who assisted on the goal, touched on how impressive it was for Larkin to have his name in the top 10 in goals for an organization that is currently in its Centennial season and filled with so much history.
“It’s impressive in an organization like Detroit, so many greats have come through and played here,” Raymond said. “Dylan puts in a lot of work, and he carries a big load for this team both on and off the ice.”
Larkin is now in his 11th season with the Red Wings, showcasing a consistent work ethic and leadership on a nightly basis. Something that head coach Todd McLellan touched on to the media post-game Friday.
“Dylan cares immensely, he cares about the city, the team, the organization and his teammates,” McLellan said. “He is a proud Red Wing, proud captain.”
The names ahead of Larkin are Gordie Howe, Steve Yzerman, Alex Delvecchio, Sergei Fedorov, Henrik Zetterberg, Ted Lindsay, Norm Ullman, Pavel Datsyuk and Brendan Shanahan. Five of those players also donned the captaincy in Detroit, something that McLellan spoke to after Friday’s win.
“Nick Lidström, Henrik Zetterberg, Steve Yzerman all wore the ‘C,’ and they all had those qualities,” McLellan said. “They were proud Red Wings, and he’s learned that from them.”
Of the 266 career goals, Larkin has scored 37 game-winners, scoring in key moments for the Red Wings. The 37 game-winning goals put Larkin 12th among all Red Wings players. Of Larkin’s 24 goals this year, six have been of the game-winning variety, which places the forward second in the NHL trailing on Steven Stamkos who has seven.
“Larkin has a knack for scoring timely goals, which he did tonight again,” McLellan said. “We can use him in all situations, just a great teammate.”
Year 1 for Dylan Larkin as a Red Wing
Larkin was selected by the Red Wings in the first round at 15th overall at the 2014 NHL entry draft. The Michigan native became the first 19-year-old to suit up for the Red Wings since Mike Sillinger in 1990-91, six years before Larkin was born.
Larkin wasted no time to get his NHL career going, scoring in his first NHL game, becoming the first teenager to score in an NHL debut since 1983, previously done by Yzerman. The goal was assisted by Zetterberg and former Red Wing defenseman Mike Green, while being scored on another former Red Wing, Jonathan Bernier.
Larkin capped off his first season as a Red Wing with 23 goals and 22 assists, finishing fourth on the team in points. Larkin’s rookie year was also the last time the Red Wings had a postseason appearance, where the now 29-year-old recorded one goal in a four-to-one series loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Signed through the completion of the 2031 season, Larkin is on a mission this season and beyond to get the Red Wings back into the playoffs, having helped lead the Red Wings to a 29-16-4 record through 49 games, good for third in the East.