Due to injury, Dylan Larkin, the captain of the Detroit Red Wings, will be out of action for approximately the next two weeks. This will put the team to the test both during and after its forthcoming road trip.
Following the team’s weekend loss to Florida, Larkin sustained a lower-body injury, which coach Derek Lalonde announced on Monday will keep him out of action. To temporarily replace Detroit’s top scorer, Joe Veleno shifts into the top-line center position between Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane.
Following practice, Lalonde remarked, “Joe’s going to be playing more minutes probably.” A worthwhile task for us. Everybody sustains injuries. When Dylan was last out, we didn’t manage it very well. This time, I believe we’ll react a little better.
Of the four games Larkin missed in December, the Red Wings lost three of them; however, as Lalonde noted, that was also during a period when they were juggling injuries to multiple players.
We’ve been lucky to have depth all year, and although this will be put to the test once more, I have faith in the team,” Lalonde remarked. “The lumps are these. You need to fight past some of these obstacles if you want to continue in that struggle and cross that line, and here is your chance to do so.
Larkin, 27, has 26 goals and 28 assists for 54 points in 55 games this season. The Red Wings hold the first of two Eastern Conference wild-card spots and are on track to return to the playoffs and end a seven-year drought going back to their most recent appearance in 2016.
“Everyone’s got to do a little bit more,” Lalonde said. “I think they understand the task.”
The Red Wings head out to visit Colorado on Wednesday, Arizona on Friday and Vegas on Saturday before wrapping up their stretch of road games next Tuesday, March 12, at Buffalo. Larkin could also miss additional home games against the Coyotes and Sabres and at Pittsburgh that are within this two-week span.
Tied with Tampa Bay in the standings but having played two fewer games, Detroit leads the New York Islanders by six points, Washington by seven and New Jersey by eight in the playoff race.
