Dylan Larkin encouraged by Detroit Red Wings performance vs. Devils

In a thrilling 2023-24 season opener, the Detroit Red Wings faced off against the formidable New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center. The contest lived up to the anticipation but concluded with a narrow 4-3 defeat for the Red Wings. Captain Dylan Larkin found plenty of positives in his team's performance, hinting at an exciting season ahead.

A Glimpse of Promise

Larkin recognized the significance of the contest. He described it as a “good hockey game,” emphasizing the emotions that ran high throughout the match. Facing the Devils, a team considered a contender in the Eastern Conference, the Red Wings had their work cut out for them.

“It was a good hockey game,” Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin said. “An emotional game. That’s a good team over there. We had a great start. I thought we played a good game. If we play like that consistently, we’re going to be in a good spot.”

“We couldn’t have asked for a better start, unless we put the puck in the net,” Larkin said.

Missed Opportunities

Larkin acknowledged the missed opportunities but remained confident in the team's ability to capitalize on chances. The Red Wings scored three goals, but their finishing touch was lacking. Larkin's faith in the team's goal-scoring prowess shone through, underlining the need for consistency in converting opportunities.

“It’s unfortunate that we didn’t get a point or two points,” Larkin said. “But I liked the way we played. I’m interested to hear what (Devils head coach) Lindy Ruff and their team says about the matchup.”

“We didn’t really capitalize on some really good chances in the first period and really all game. Scored three (goals), but our finishing wasn’t there. I’m not worried about that. We have a lot of goal scorers in here. If we keep getting looks like that, we’re going to score a lot.”

“It was a lot to overcome, but like I said, an emotional game. Good energy. A lot of them were penalties. We knew we were going to face adversity coming into this game. We did, and for the most part, responded well.”

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Bottom Line – A Positive Start

The Detroit Red Wings' season opener against the New Jersey Devils, despite ending in a narrow loss, revealed a team brimming with potential. Dylan Larkin's optimism and emphasis on consistent performance set the tone for what promises to be an exciting season. While the scorecard might not have been in their favor on this particular night, the Red Wings have already shown that they are ready to take on the challenges of the season with determination and vigor.

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