Larkin Olympic Outlook: Americans Overcome Bad Start to Win

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin played third line center for Team USA in a 6-3 win against Denmark in the second game for both teams at the 2026 Olympics.

TOI

Larkin logged 12:31, a little less than he played in USA’s opener. He played more than five minutes in the third period when Detroit was defending a lead.  Coach Mike Sullivan mixed up his lines after Denmark claimed a 2-1 first period lead. Tage Thompson was moved off Larkin’s line. Larkin played at least one shift with Brock Nelson. Thompson ended up playing 9:12 and Kyle Connor was at 9:50

Production

Larkin had no points, but he was the team’s best faceoff center with an 5-1 (83,3%) game. He did have a penalty and an even plus-minus. Larkin had four shots on goal. The Detroit captain doesn’t have a point in USA’s first two points.

TEAM USA REMAINS PERFECT!! 🇺🇸 #MilanoCortina2026 #WinterOlympics

📺: USA vs. Germany TOMORROW at 3:10p ET on @peacock, @USANetwork, @cbcsports, @cbcgem, and @TSN_Sports
📺: Denmark vs. Latvia TOMORROW at 1:10p ET on @peacock, @CNBC, and @cbcgem pic.twitter.com/x7K4hmmwe6

— NHL (@NHL) February 14, 2026

Game Notes

The U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team is commemorating Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau in its locker room, with Johnny’s No. 13 jersey and a banner displaying both Johnny’s (13) and Matthew’s (21) numbers hanging. The brothers tragically died on August 29, 2024, while riding bicycles the day before their sister was to be married. Both were hockey players and Johnny competed for Team USA in six different international events, including five IIHF Men’s World Championships and one IIHF World Junior Championship.

Analysis

If USA (2-0) beats Germany (1-1) it wins its pool and will earn a bye into the quarterfinals. If the Americans lose to Germany, tie-breakers will be used to determine seeding. If Latvia beats Denmark in regulation and Germany beats USA in regulation, the Americans, Germans and Latvians would all have six points.

Next Game

The Americans play Moritz Seider’s German team Saturday at 3 p.m. Germany (1-1) beat Denmark and lost to Latvia.