Dylan Larkin recaps “devastating” finish to Red Wings season

While the Detroit Red Wings finished the regular season on a three-game winning streak, the bad news was that they still finished on the outside looking in at the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the 8th straight year. Even more disappointing was the fact that they enjoyed a nine-point lead from the cutoff point at the end of February, only to see that lead evaporate thanks to a seven-game losing skid in March. 

For Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, it was certainly a difficult year for him personally. Not only did he miss several games due to injury, but he and his wife also tragically lost their unborn child. However, Larkin was able to silence even his most vocal of doubters by demonstrating his worth to the franchise that elected to name him team captain in 2021. 

He'll be showcasing his skills overseas at the upcoming World Championship in Czechia, proudly donning the Team USA jersey. During a recent guest appearance on NHL Network with Mike Rupp and Cory Schneider, he revealed that he didn't make the decision until "a couple of days" after receiving the invitation to represent his native country.

"Just trying to wind down from the season, it was an emotional roller coaster of a finish, had to let the emotions go," Larkin explained. "Team USA called and it took me a couple days to see if the body was able to do it."

Larkin then admitted that the whirlwind finish to the season was "devastating", but that it will hopefully make him and his teammates better in the long run. 

"It was devastating to go through all of that and then see how it all unfolded, but you know that you can really look at through an 82 games season, there will be ups and downs," he said. "But to come up one point shy, there are so many what ifs and I think it was a great learning lesson for our team and young players, even myself. When you get into a spot where the last two months or whatever it may be, we were in good position and then let everyone back in it. And then there we were after 82 games on the outside.

Next time we're in that position, keep our foot on the gas and accumulate points; every point matters throughout the year."

Can Larkin and the Red Wings end their lengthy postseason drought, which is currently the 2nd longest among all 32 NHL clubs, next season? 

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