Detroit Red Wings Captain Dylan Larkin Has to Leave Practice Early

Center Dylan Larkin wasn’t able to finish the Detroit Red Wings’ Tuesday practice and is being examined by medical personnel.

“He left the ice and so he’s being evaluated,” Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said. “I’ll know more tomorrow. I don’t have more than that except he wasn’t able to finish the last part of the (power play).”

Dylan Larkin is among the NHL’s hottest players, and is in the midst of his best NHL season. He has 26 goals in 46 games.

This comes a day before the Red Wings square off against the Colorado Avalanche. The Avs own the NHL’s best record of 36-10 and 4. They lost 5-1 to the Boston Bruins Tuesday and they haven’t lost two games in a row since November.

“Last time we played them it felt like they were shot out of a cannon every time they were coming up the ice,” Blashill said. “They can play a really fast game. They’re very good on their breakout. They are a possession-type team in terms of breaking out with possession and getting into the other zone with possession. They’re very good on the line rush, they’re very good in the O zone.”

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Rowney, Namestnikov Ready to Play

The Avalanche are 19-2-2 in their past 23, but have also lost three of their last seven.

“We’re gonna have times in our end where they’re gonna be rolling around,” Blashill said, “and we gotta be comfortable with just kind of staying between them and the net. Not panicking in those situations, because they do get that type of offense going.”

The good news for Detroit is defenseman Gustav Lindstrom said he’s good to go. The Red Wings also expect to have Carter Rowney and Vladislav Namestnikov ready to play against Colorado. Rowney hasn’t played since Jan. 4. Namestnikov missed the last two games.

“(Rowney and Namestnikov) both finished the practice,” Blashill said. “They’ll wake up tomorrow and we’ll make sure. But I would say they’re both trending towards being ready to play. But again, we’ll know more as we keep going.”

Rowney’s return to the active roster probably means Joe Veleno will stay in Grand Rapids. He will play more in Grand Rapids where he has registered 10 points in 11 games. He has seven points in 35 games for the Red Wings.