Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin set to miss two weeks

The Detroit Red Wings are doing everything they can to continue pushing toward a playoff berth. It would be quite an accomplishment for the Red Wings to be able to get back into the playoffs finally. But they're going to have a rough road ahead.

It really felt like the Detroit Red Wings were going to have their foot on the gas in more of a "driver's seat" type setup. Instead, the latest news points to the team being in a spot where they will need everyone to step up as they get into the home stretch.

On Monday, it was announced that the Red Wings will be without Dylan Larkin for at least the next two weeks. He sustained a lower-body injury and will be missing for about the next two weeks of games. With the home stretch on the horizon, it's certainly not the best time for this news.

If Dylan Larkin indeed does miss the full two weeks, he will miss seven games of the Red Wings remaining slate of games. It's certainly not the most productive outcome, and the Red Wings playing without Larkin could make for a tough go. But it will be interesting to see how the team reacts.

Detroit Red Wings will be without Dylan Larkin for approximately two weeks.

Larkin is the team's leading scorer. He had 26 goals, which leads the team, and his 54 points are the best on the team, one point above Alex DeBrincat. At times, the Red Wings have struggled without their captain. Earlier this year, the Red Wings sputtered a bit when he missed time after the cross-check against Ottawa.

As the team works through a crucial slate of remaining games, no Larkin is not the way that the team wants to go about it. However, the Red Wings are hoping things go better this time while they are without Larkin.

Head Coach Derek Lalonde said he hopes the team is better prepared to play without Larkin. Here's Lalonde's comments:

As the Red Wings begin a road trip, the team will rock with their current roster rather than looking to call anyone up. Lalonde said that the 12 forward and seven defensemen makeup was going to be the best option. But it sounds like a pretty fluid situation.

If the Red Wings need some reinforcements, then they will look to the minors, calling someone like Marco Kasper up. This "standing pat" on the roster could also be an indicator for the trade deadline. It's creeping closer each day, but with Larkin's injury, it will be interesting to see what happens.