The Detroit Red Wings had an opportunity to make a statement in Columbus but were outmatched from the start, falling 5-2 to the Blue Jackets. After the game, head coach Todd McLellan didn’t mince words, openly criticizing team captain Dylan Larkin.
“I can’t beat around the bush,” McLellan said. “He was missing. He’s a big boy, he can handle hearing that. He’s going to hear it from me. Just a lot of mishandles, unsure plays that he usually makes.”
No Excuses
McLellan dismissed any notion that Dylan Larkin’s recent participation in the 4 Nations tournament could be used as an excuse for his performance.
“I’d like to think that the 4 Nations is so far past us already,” McLellan said. “We’ve had enough rest. I’m not using it as an excuse. I’m not even going to go there. We’re playing big games, we need our big players to play big games, and we’ll need more from not only him but some others.”
Dylan Larkin: By the Numbers
Dylan Larkin’s statistics for the 2024-25 season are as follows.
What’s Next For the Red Wings
Even with the loss, the Red Wings would still qualify for the NHL Playoffs if the season ended today. They’ll have an opportunity to rebound on Saturday when they face the Blue Jackets again in an outdoor game at Ohio Stadium.
Detroit currently holds a 30-23-6 record with 66 points, while Columbus sits at 29-22-8, also with 66 points.