Dylan Larkin started Tuesday night getting booed every time he touched the puck. Just a few hours later, he stood under the spotlight at Little Caesars Arena as the No. 1 star after helping the Detroit Red Wings beat the Ottawa Senators 5-3 for their first victory of the season. What an absolute turnaround, right? Larkin couldn’t have scripted a better response for his 2026-27 season debut.
From Boos To Bursts: Larkin’s Immediate Answer
The atmosphere around Larkin was uncomfortable from the moment he stepped onto the ice. After his offseason trade request and the boos he got during Detroit’s Opening Night intros, fans let No. 71 hear it again during his first shift Tuesday. It was tough to watch, but then Larkin had a chance to answer with his play, and man, did he ever. He scored at 13:14 of the first period, with Viktor Arvidsson finding him in front of the net. Larkin beat Samuel Ersson, giving Detroit a 2-1 advantage. Not just a lead, but the Red Wings’ first lead of the season! Talk about flipping the script.
Goal, Assist, And The No. 1 Star Spotlight
Larkin’s production didn’t stop there. He picked up an assist on Arvidsson’s power-play goal early in the second period, helping Detroit extend their lead to 3-1 on their way to that crucial 5-3 victory. When the game ended, the same building that had been hostile earlier had a completely different vibe. According to MLive’s Ansar Khan, Larkin received mostly cheers, though still some boos, when he was announced as the game’s No. 1 star. He led the three-star selections, with Alex DeBrincat earning the No. 2 spot after scoring twice, including an empty-netter to seal the win, and Arvidsson (a goal and an assist himself) coming in at No. 3. It was a complete transformation from being booed every time he touched the puck to standing alone at center ice, recognized as Detroit’s best player in their first win of the season.
The Return Detroit Desperately Needed
Detroit activated Larkin from injured reserve earlier on Tuesday, and his return couldn’t have come at a better time. The Red Wings entered the night 0-2 and had only scored two goals through their first two games. Head coach Todd McLellan had already made it clear why getting Larkin back was so important for Detroit’s offense, pointing to his speed, faceoff ability, and impact on the power play. The Red Wings’ official pregame report even quoted McLellan saying their power play is “different with him in the lineup.” Tuesday night provided immediate, undeniable evidence of what he meant. Whatever happens with Larkin’s unresolved future in Detroit, one thing is crystal clear: the Red Wings are a better hockey team when No. 71 is on the ice. The boos might not disappear entirely, but if Larkin keeps delivering nights like this, Red Wings fans are going to find themselves doing a whole lot more cheering than booing.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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