Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings Larkin Savors Milestone, Seeks to Lose Millstone
Goal, Assist For Captain in Win Over Canadiens

It was a milestone night for Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin. As much as he appreciated the love, he was more loving the fact that he and his teammates were taking a significant step toward eliminating the millstone that he’s been carrying around his neck now for eight years.
That’s how long it’s been since the Red Wings were tasting playoff hockey. Larkin is the only player on the current roster who’s been there for every painful minute of that postseason absence.
Facing the Montreal Canadiens Thursday at Little Caesars Arena, a loss would’ve left Detroit six points out of a playoff spot and seven points in back of the Habs.
Instead, they were playing one of their more solid games of the season, handing Montreal a 4-2 setback. And the captain was the one leading the way on what was for him a momentous night on many counts.
Larkin finishes on the power play in game 700! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/YiY1igVid4
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 24, 2025
Earlier in the day, Larkin was named to the second team on the Red Wings quarter-century squad by NHL.com. Thursday would be his 700th NHL game. In every one of them, his chest has been adorned by the winged wheel.
The captain would collect a goal and an assist in what was a massive win for the Wings in terms of keeping their season alive. Larkin’s helper on Jonatan Berggren’s goal that opened the scoring was his 550th NHL point.
“Huge win for us and memorable night for myself,” Larkin said. “I think it’s going to be memorable the way we played and hopefully we can build off that.”
Rising To The Challenge
Larkin has grown into his role as captain and become a symbol of this squad. All too often, what he has come to sybomlize is the face of misfortune and failure. There are many nights when a forelorn Larkin is left to answer for the latest misstep by this team.
Thursday was a rare opportunity to revel in a moment when the Red Wings were coming through with a positive performance of significance.
Larkin picks up career point 550 on Bergy's tally! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/X6SQTsQlCe
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 24, 2025
“I think we skated and I thought we were the better skating team,” Larkin said. “We got up the ice, forechecked and caused a lot of turnovers and then we looked to shoot. We got 45 shots. I think that might be a season high for our group (it is).
“We shot it, we got it back and continued to play offense. Even in the third period we had some sustained offense and grinded them down, drew a penalty late. That was huge.
“So our whole team game was pretty dialed in tonight.”
Larkin Is Red Wings Through And Through
In his brief tenure as coach of the Red Wings, Todd McLellan is quickly coming to appreciate much about Larkin beyond his skill. He’s leading the team with 21 goals.
“I think he is the player he is because of his drive and his competitiveness,” McLellan said. “We talked about this with some people in here before he came into the league in diapers. All young players do. And this is his family. He’s grown up with it.
“He’s a true Red Wing. Seven hundred games means a lot. Original six team Detroit. So that’s really remarkable in my mind. And over and above that, all the things that he does for the team when he puts the equipment on, but also when he isn’t wearing the equipment. And that’s likely why they’ve chosen him as the captain a while ago.”