Critical update released on health of Dylan Larkin

The value of Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin to his team has perhaps never been more evident than this recent difficult stretch of hockey that has seen them lose six straight games in regulation, the last four of which he's been unavailable for due to injury. 

But while he's not expected to play in either of Detroit's next two games, head coach Derek Lalonde stated that he could begin practicing before too long, even potentially this weekend. 

“I would not expect him this weekend,” Lalonde said. “We’ll see how he handles maybe getting on the ice this weekend. And hopefully when we get back from Pittsburgh on Monday, maybe he’ll be in that day to day range.”

Lalonde also added, "We'll see how he feels tomorrow." 

With 26 goals and 28 assists on the season, Larkin was on a point per game pace prior to his injury that he suffered last Saturday afternoon against the Florida Panthers, a 4-0 setback at Little Caesars Arena. 

The Red Wings have been badly outplayed in many of their recent losses, and in essence appear completely lost without the presence of Larkin in the lineup. That's an especially alarming trend, considering that the Red Wings have more than enough veteran leaders on the team that would normally be relied upon to help vill the void.

Detroit will take on three straight non-playoff team, though two of them have already beaten Detroit during this shocking slump in the Arizona Coyotes and Buffalo Sabres; they'll also play the Pittsburgh Penguins from PPG Paints Arena on Sunday afternoon. 

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