Just when you thought Dylan Larkin’s Olympic gold medal was the peak of his year, he goes and proves there’s no stopping him. But here’s where it gets even more impressive: fresh off his Team USA heroics, Larkin not only returned to the NHL but delivered a game-winning overtime goal for the Detroit Red Wings, securing a 2-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators. And this is the part most people miss—it wasn’t just any goal; it was his 28th of the season and his 13th career overtime goal, making him the Red Wings’ all-time leader in OT goals, surpassing the legendary Sergei Fedorov. Talk about a storybook return!
The play itself was a masterpiece of teamwork and individual skill. After winning a faceoff, Larkin fed the puck to Lucas Raymond, who returned the favor with a perfect pass. Larkin then outraced the defense, slipped past Ottawa’s Linus Ullmark, and slid in a backhander just 1:50 into overtime. ‘We just hung in there,’ Larkin told FanDuel Sports Network, reflecting on the team’s resilience. ‘We weren’t at our sharpest early, but we grew as the game went on. It’s tough to win in Ottawa, but we weathered the storm and got two huge points.’
Here’s the controversial part: Some might argue that Larkin’s Olympic success could’ve left him fatigued, but he insists he felt ‘good’ despite the whirlwind schedule. ‘It’s different than an Olympic gold medal game,’ he admitted, ‘but that goal was massive for our team. Being back with the guys feels special.’ Coach Todd McLellan wasn’t surprised by Larkin’s performance, noting that Olympians often return with their ‘nervous systems, legs, and thought processes up and running at the highest level.’ But he also cautioned, ‘We’ll need to ensure Larks gets rest—the fatigue will catch up in a few games.’
Meanwhile, goaltender John Gibson was the unsung hero, stopping 26 shots and keeping the Wings afloat early. ‘You can’t simulate game conditions in practice,’ Gibson said. ‘It’s just nice to be back out there, focusing on keeping the puck out of the net and giving our team a chance.’ Since December 1, Gibson has been a rock, and McLellan praised his ability to ‘buy the team time to find their game.’
The game also featured a power-play goal from Larkin in the second period, tying it 1-1 after Ottawa’s Brady Tkachuk—Larkin’s Team USA teammate—opened scoring in the first. Tkachuk’s night took a turn when he received a misconduct penalty for chirping Simon Edvinsson from the penalty box, sparking a brief scuffle. But here’s the question: Did Tkachuk’s frustration stem from the physical play or the growing momentum of the Red Wings? Let us know in the comments.
With the win, the Red Wings (34-19-6) reclaimed second place in the Atlantic Division, proving they’re a force to be reckoned with—even after an Olympic break. Larkin’s seamless transition from international hero to NHL star leaves us wondering: Is this his best season yet? And how much higher can he take this team? Share your thoughts below!
