DETROIT (AP) — Dylan Larkin played for the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night for the first time since asking for a trade, scored 13 minutes in, had an assist and was named the first star of the game for his role in beating Ottawa.
Larkin was cheered by the same crowd that booed him when he touched the puck on his first shift of the game. Larkin was slow to get back defensively, and Ottawa’s Tim Stützle scored off the rush.
He made up for it by putting the puck in to give the Red Wings the lead later in the first period and set up Viktor Arvidsson's goal early in the second.
More applause followed when he was announced as the first star afterward, with the polar-opposite reactions creating a fitting new chapter in one of the most bizarre ongoing stories in hockey.
“I’m trying to be a man and face it,” Larkin said. “I’m going to try to show up with my play.”
Larkin remains in limbo several months after his trade request became public and Detroit’s longtime general manager, Steve Yzerman, was abruptly moved out of that role in mid-July. He was stripped of the captaincy, reported to training camp despite being injured, missed the start of the season because of injury and received a frosty reaction from home fans during introductions prior to their first game last week.
Coach Todd McLellan said following the morning skate that Larkin would play against the unbeaten Senators as long as the 30-year-old center was cleared by doctors. Larkin was activated off injured reserve prior to taking the ice for pregame warmups.
Larkin is a Michigan native who has played his entire NHL career with Detroit, which last made the playoffs in his rookie season a decade ago. That is the longest active drought of any of the league's 32 teams.
Fans at the home opener taped over Larkin's name with such things as “Loser," “Traitor” and “Leavin" and at times chanted, “Sell the team."
Larkin initially last spring gave the Red Wings only three destinations he'd accept a trade to — Florida, Minnesota and Vegas — before reportedly adding more possibilities in recent weeks. He said he was conscious of not over-celebrating his goal knowing the situation.
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Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) and right wing Alex DeBrincat (93) celebrate a goal by left wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) against the Ottawa Senators during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Red Wings left wing Viktor Arvidsson, second from right, celebrates with, from left, center Dylan Larkin, right wing Alex DeBrincat and left wing Lucas Raymond (23) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) celebrates his goal against the Ottawa Senators during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
DETROIT (AP) — Dylan Larkin scored in his first game since asking for a trade, helping the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night.
Larkin was initially booed by the home crowd when he touched the puck on his first shift. The boos turned to cheers when he scored in the 13th minute, giving Detroit a lead it never relinquished. He also set up a goal early in the second.
Alex DeBrincat scored twice and Justin Faulk and Viktor Arvidsson added goals for Detroit. John Gibson made 22 saves.
Drake Batherson, Tim Stutzle and William Eklund scored for the Senators, who had won their first two games. Samuel Ersson had 31 saves.
DeBrincat opened his scoring in the first with a wrist shot 3:16 into the period, assisted by Nate Danielson and Carter Mazur. He added a power-play empty-netter with 50 seconds remaining in the third. DeBrincat also had an assist.
Larkin remains in limbo several months after his trade request became public. He was stripped of the captaincy, reported to training camp despite being injured, missed the start of the season because of injury and received a frosty reaction from home fans during introductions prior to their first game last week.
Ersson started for Ottawa after entering in relief of injured No. 1 goaltender Linus Ullmark for the third period Monday night in Boston. Ullmark did not dress, and the Senators called up Jonas Johansson from Belleville of the American Hockey League to back up.
Ridly Greig made his season debut for Ottawa and finished with an assist. Greig served a two-game suspension at the start of the season that he received for roughing during the Senators’ final playoff game against the Carolina Hurricanes. Greig was banned for sucker punching Carolina defenseman Sean Walker in the second period of Ottawa’s 4-2 loss on April 25.
Senators: Host Philadelphia on Thursday.
Red Wings: Host Seattle on Friday.
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Ottawa Senators center Dylan Cozens (24) is goes up against Detroit Red Wings defenseman William Wallinder (54) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Ottawa Senators center Ridly Greig (71) is closely guarded by Detroit Red Wings defenseman Justin Faulk (72) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Red Wings center Nate Danielson (29) collides with Ottawa Senators center Tim Stutzle (18) while bringing the puck up the ice during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Red Wings left wing Viktor Arvidsson, second from right, celebrates with, from left, center Dylan Larkin, right wing Alex DeBrincat and left wing Lucas Raymond (23) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) drives the puck past Ottawa Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot, left, to score during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
