It may be the first time they meet as NHLers when the Detroit Red Wings travel to Edmonton to face the Oilers Wednesday, but going head-to-head with Oilers super rookie Connor McDavid is old hand for Dylan Larkin, Detroit’s rookie sensation.
“Yeah, I know him,… Larkin said. “I’ve played against him since I was probably 12, 13. He's always been a special player. He's going to be someone we have to watch. I'm excited to see him.…
Larkin is impressed by both McDavid’s humble nature, and the way he appears to handle the never-attending attention directed at him so effortlessly.
“I think he's such a nice guy,… Larkin said. “I got to meet him this summer, hang out with him a little bit at the (NHL) Rookie Showcase. He's a good guy. It's good to see a nice, humble guy like that.
“I think his whole life he's had a lot of attention. He handles it well and he's always produced. I think as he keeps producing he's going to get more attention.…
Larkin is effusive in his praise for McDavid’s game.
“He's got good speed and good hands,… Larkin said. “He's pretty much the complete player. He knows how to find guys and you never know what he's going to do, so he's a pretty shifty player.…
From Larkin’s point of view, he’s thrilled to get the chance to play his first NHL games in Western Canada.
“I've been out to Vancouver hockey camps and stuff, but I never played in these buildings and I'm excited for it,… Larkin said. “It's going to be pretty cool and it's a good time of year for it.…
Western Warriors The Wings have made plenty of hay when travelling across the Canadian prairies and into Alberta and British Columbia in recent seasons.
The Wings have won eight in a row against the Oilers since Feb. 4, 2012, a 5-4 shootout loss. Detroit is 15-0-2 in the last 17 games against Edmonton dating back to Dec. 3, 2009, a 4-1 loss in Detroit, which was the Oilers' most recent regulation win vs. the Wings, and their only regulation win in the series since 2006. Detroit is 22-1-7 in the past 30 vs. Edmonton. Going back even further, the Wings are 30-2-11-4 in their last 47 games against Edmonton.
On the road, the Wings are 9-0-5 in their past 14 in Edmonton since Oct. 21, 2006.
Switching to Calgary, the Wings are 10-6-0 in their past 16 overall and 7-3-0 in their past 10 games at Calgary.
Detroit is 13-5-2 overall in their last 20 and 6-3-1 in the past 10 games in Vancouver.
In Western Canada overall since start of 2009-10 season, the Wings are 19-6-4.
Abby’s Avatar Justin Abdelkader was cited as the Wing with the best costume at the team’s annual Halloween party, but captain Henrik Zetterberg sought to keep a lid on any further information regarding the outcome.
“The best outfit probably was Abdelkader,… Zetterberg said. “I’ll keep it to myself what he was.
“I think he still has some of his costume still on him.…
Abdelkader was far more forthcoming on his chosen costume.
“It was an Avatar,… Abdelkader explained. “I had my face painted and my whole body painted and I just had blue spandex so it all kind of matched together, so it was good.…
Abdelkader wasn’t as certain his costume was the most imaginative, though.
“I probably put the most effort in,… Abdelkader said. “I don't know if that means the best.
“Going out and getting my whole body painted, the most I saw was a few people had their face painted. I thought it was really good. It was fun. It's once a year. I enjoy doing something like that.…
And yes, Zetterberg might have had a point when he suggested Abdelkader was still wearing some of his costume.
“There's a little blue paint I'm still trying to get off my body,… Abdelkader admitted. “Most of it came off.…
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