Larkin Makes Immediate Impact in Return
Dylan Larkin: Dylan Larkin could hardly have scripted a better return to the Detroit Red Wings lineup. The captain scored a goal and added an assist as Detroit rallied from an early deficit to beat the Ottawa Senators 5-3 on Tuesday night, handing Ottawa its first loss of the season.
Larkin missed Detroit’s opening two games with an upper-body injury, making his return one of the biggest storylines of the night. He quickly reminded everyone why his presence matters, scoring in the first period and helping create another goal as Detroit took control.
The victory also gave the Red Wings their first win of the young season.
Senators Strike First, But Detroit Responds
Ottawa wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Tim Stützle opened the scoring early, catching Detroit goaltender John Gibson with a quick shot from the high slot.
Detroit answered just 32 seconds later.
Alex DeBrincat tied the game with a close-range finish, bringing the home crowd back into the game. Larkin then put Detroit ahead at 13:14, scoring from in tight after working his way into a dangerous position.
The goal changed the feel of the game. Instead of allowing Ottawa to dictate the pace, Detroit began generating sustained pressure and attacking with more confidence.
Red Wings Build a Three-Goal Cushion
Detroit carried that momentum into the second period. Viktor Arvidsson extended the lead on the power play, finishing a setup involving Larkin and Lucas Raymond.
Justin Faulk then made it 4-1 less than five minutes into the period, giving Detroit its biggest advantage of the night.
Ottawa refused to fold. Drake Batherson scored on the power play to cut the deficit to two, and the Senators continued to create chances around the Detroit net.
For a team that had entered the night unbeaten, Ottawa suddenly found itself chasing the game.
Ottawa Makes It Interesting Again
The Senators kept pushing in the third period and were rewarded when William Eklund scored to make it 4-3.
That goal put the pressure back on Detroit. Ottawa had already erased part of the deficit, and another goal would have completely changed the night.
Instead, Detroit stayed composed.
Gibson made several important saves as Ottawa searched for the equalizer, while Detroit looked for an opportunity to finish the game. The Red Wings eventually got it when DeBrincat scored into an empty net with 50 seconds remaining.
That sealed a 5-3 victory and ended Ottawa’s unbeaten start.
DeBrincat and Larkin Lead Detroit’s Attack
DeBrincat finished with two goals and an assist, giving Detroit a major offensive lift alongside Larkin’s return.
Larkin’s one-goal, one-assist performance was equally significant. His presence immediately strengthened a Detroit attack that looked far more dangerous once the captain settled into the game.
Lucas Raymond also had three assists, while Arvidsson added a goal and an assist. Gibson stopped 22 shots to protect the lead during Ottawa’s late push.
For Ottawa, Stützle, Batherson and Eklund each recorded a goal and an assist, but the Senators could not recover after falling three goals behind.
What the Win Means for Detroit
The result gives Detroit an early confidence boost and shows how much difference Larkin can make when healthy.
Ottawa, meanwhile, leaves Detroit with its first defeat of the season after opening the campaign unbeaten. The Senators showed enough fight to turn a three-goal deficit into a one-goal game, but Detroit’s finishing ability proved decisive.
Larkin’s return may ultimately be remembered as the biggest takeaway. After missing the start of the season, he came back and immediately produced, giving the Red Wings exactly the kind of spark they needed.
FAQ
How did Dylan Larkin perform in his return?
Larkin scored one goal and recorded one assist in his first game of the season for Detroit.
Who led the Red Wings in scoring?
Alex DeBrincat led Detroit with two goals and one assist, while Lucas Raymond contributed three assists.
Was this Ottawa’s first loss of the season?
Yes. The 5-3 defeat was the Senators’ first loss of the 2026-27 season.
