As dream debuts go, Dylan Larkin couldn’t have scripted a much better one.
In his first NHL game, the Detroit Red Wings rookie forward from Waterford, Mich. scored a goal and set up another as the Wings opened the NHL season by blanking the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-0 Friday at Joe Louis Arena.
“It's an incredible feeling just to see it go in and see the Joe go pretty crazy,… Larkin said of beating Jonathan Bernier for his first NHL goal. “Ever since the introduction there, I was kind of feeling the nerves and to put that one home, I started to feel comfortable and I thought my play started to pick up.…
Just 19, Larkin followed in some fairly impressive footprints. Back in 1946, teenager Gordie Howe, then 18, scored in his first NHL game at Detroit against Toronto goalie Turk Broda.
Larkin was equally proud of his assist on the second goal of Justin Abdelkader’s hat-trick.
“I saw Kuba (defenseman Jakub Kindl) had a good pinch there and I had the puck for a quick second,… Larkin said. “I thought it was Z (Henrik Zetterberg) in front of the net but it was Abby.
“I saw his back in there and just threw it there and he did the rest. It was a great play by him.…
As to his overall performance, which earned him the game’s second star, Larkin was his own harshest critic.
“I think just getting more comfortable,… Larkin said of what he can improve in his work. “I think it was one game, just taking it to the next level, to 60 minutes.
“When you're coming out to the introduction, you're just trying to focus not to fall, then the first shift, I tied my skates too tight and my toes weren't really feeling. After that, I kind of settled in and felt pretty comfortable.
“I had a few rough shifts at the beginning of the game. I'm not going to pick at it by all means. It's a special night for me and I'm going to enjoy it for a little bit and then get ready for Carolina (Saturday).…
Abby’s Three Spot Recording the second hat-trick of his career, forward Justin Abdelkader became the first Red Wing to net three goals in a home opener since Adam Brown in 1945.
“I think there was a lot of good feelings all around,… Abdelkader said. “Larkin scoring his first goal, Howie (Jimmy Howard) getting the shutout. Obviously getting the hat-trick was special for me, but overall we played a great game. We didn’t give them a whole lot.
“We came out at the start right away which was good with the energy and we fed off the crowd. We got those goals and sat back a bit. There were a few ups and downs, but overall it was a good win for us and we can build off that. It’s game one of 82 so we have a long ways to go.…
The forward line of Abdelkader, Larkin and Zetterberg produced all four Detroit goals, Zetterberg celebrating his 35th birthday by collecting three assists.
“I love playing with Z,… Abdelkader said. “I think we have great chemistry out there.
“Larks brings an element of speed, energy, hard on pucks, can really shoot, skate. I think he showcased his skill set tonight. He’s only going to get better.…
Howard’s End There were Wings fans that felt the team should move goalie Jimmy Howard in the summer, but in the opener, the veteran refused to be budged, blocking all 22 shots for his 21st NHL shutout.
“I think it was all about the team in front of me tonight, they did a great job,… Howard said. “From the opening faceoff all the way to the end we did a great job limiting their opportunities.…
Coach Jeff Blashill wasn’t about to let his goaltender downplay his performance.
“I thought Jimmy was good and sometimes the game ends up 4-0 and it feels like it’s one-sided, but it wasn’t,… Blashill said. “I thought we played well at times.
“When your goalie does what he does and not give them any sniff at all by stopping the ones he’s supposed to stop, by making the big saves at big moments, it keeps the game at bay for them and it allows us to continue to build the lead, which he did in the second.…
Hometown Hero The first Michigander to coach the Red Wings, Blashill got off to a successful start.
“For me personally it wasn’t as much buildup as getting the first game of the season getting going a little bit,… Blashill said. “It’s one of 82.
“It’s extremely important because there’s two points on the line. I said earlier today when the game started it’s pretty neat to have an opportunity to be the head coach of the team you grew up cheering for so I took a moment to certainly enjoy that, but other than that it’s been preparation as usual and I’m glad we got two points.…
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