Duffer’s Dabbles: Red Wings Captain Larkin On Personal Best Pace

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin is on pace for a record-breaking NHL season. Well, he most certainly is heading in that direction from a personal standpoint.

With 10 goals and eight assists through 17 games, Larkin is already exceeding his season output of nine goals from the 2021 campaign. More significantly, his current pace is showing him heading for career highs in both goals and points.

These are the best numbers he’s ever been posting at this stage of a season. In 2018-19, Larkin was sitting with seven goals and 17 points through his first 17 games played. That season saw him finishing with career bests in both goals (32) and points (73).

Amidst the buzz created by the sensational rookie seasons of winger Lucas Raymond and defenseman Moritz Seider, it’s easy to overlook how well Larkin is playing for the Red Wings.

“I think he was disappointed in his year last year and I think he refreshed this summer and maybe (Larkin’s season-ending neck) injury in some ways was good,” Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. “He’s such a worker and has such inner drive that maybe the injury gave him a chance to kind of sit back and refresh a little bit.

“I think from the beginning of the season he’s done an excellent job. He looks definitely refreshed and energized.”

Red Wings Farmhands Squander Lead

The Grand Rapids Griffins blew a 3-0 third-period lead on Saturday. Detroit’s AHL farm club fell 5-3 to the Chicago Wolves at Van Andel Arena. Among Chicago’s five unaswered third-period tallies was a three-goal outburst over the final 1:36 of the period.

A bright spot for the Griffins saw defenseman Jared McIsaac scoring twice. Those are the first goals of his pro career.

Around The League

Detroit: Eight reasons why the Red Wings should beat the Buffalo Sabres Saturday at Little Caesars Arena.

Washington: Captain Alex Ovechkin’s 28th NHL hat-trick powers the Capitals to a 4-3 victory over the Florida Panthers.

Boston: A lot of hockey people would like to see the NHL throw the book at Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand. Saturday, New York Rangers forward Artemi Panarin was opting to throw his gloves at Marchand.

Islanders: Beaten 1-0 at home by the Pittsburgh Penguins, the New York Islanders have lost eight in a row, dropping to 5-10-2 on the season.