Red Wings captain could be priming to wreak havoc on the NHL

The Detroit Red Wings need captain Dylan Larkin to be more than just a one-dimensional player offensively despite his goals snagging them the win on Saturday vs. the Buffalo Sabres. Larkin’s two scores have bumped his goal total to seven on the season, and with a 23.3 shooting percentage, putting him on pace to find the net between 52 and 53 times this season. 

Larkin remains a fixture in the faceoff circle, and few players in the entire league have been better on the power play, where five of his goals have come. But, sooner rather than later, we need to see Larkin contribute more at even strength. 

So far, Larkin has been on the ice at even strength for just six goals, good for a measly 8.7 on-ice shooting percentage. While his on-ice save percentage is 91.9, Larkin has been in the game for eight goals allowed, and overall, his overall plus-minus sits at minus-3. 

Larkin’s Corsi For percentage is currently 47.1, and while his starts have occurred in the offensive zone just 43.9 percent of the time, the former statistic is a career low for the Red Wings captain. But this should by no means indicate Larkin is some glorified version of Victor Olofsson back when he was a decent hockey player.

Red Wings captain could wreak havoc at the drop of a hat

I’m not trying to be critical of Dylan Larkin, whose presence was a pivotal reason why the Red Wings made such a serious run at the playoffs last season, and that will again be the case this year. But I am saying that he needs to help set the stage for more goals at even strength, move the puck more, and get the puck to some open teammates, which will only help the Wings return to being the high-octane unit they were last year.

It won’t surprise me when Larkin turns a corner in all of the above, providing more helpers that will translate into goals, become a primary puck mover, and become the same force at even strength that he was last season when he was on the ice for 72 goals for, with an on-ice shooting percentage of 12.6.

Sure, I’d like to see him keep up his pace to score 50-plus goals, and it’s one that’s looking more realistic by the game. It’s a matter of when, and when Larkin fully hits his stride this season, expect him to challenge for a career-best in points, and you can also expect to see a more well-rounded, more consistent Red Wings hockey team.