Dylan Larkin's two power-play goals lead Red Wings past Sabres

Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News on Nov 2, 2024

Published in Hockey

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DETROIT — Coach Derek Lalonde was confident Dylan Larkin had another "gear" while talking about the Red Wings captain earlier in the week.

It had been a good start to the season for Larkin, but maybe not to the elite level of the past several years. He came into Saturday's game with one assist, and still only has one.

But assists notwithstanding, Larkin found that next gear Saturday, scoring two power-play goals as the Wings (5-5-1) ended a three-game winless streak with a 2-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres at Little Caesars Arena.

Ironically, Larkin was stripped of the puck which led to Alex Tuch's shorthanded goal and gave Buffalo a 1-0 first-period lead.

But Larkin made amends in the second period with two power-play goals — five of his seven goals have come on the power play — and goaltender Cam Talbot made the lead stand by stopping 30 shots.

Talbot made a good save during a Buffalo scramble with just under two minutes left, preserving the lead.

The Wings were 2 for 4 on the power play and the penalty kill, a problem area of late, killed two Buffalo power plays.

Larkin tied it at 1 in the second period, whistling a short pass from Patrick Kane past Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who was off balance in his crease.

Larkin then scored his seventh goal at the 14:38 mark of the second period, finding himself open near the hashmarks and batting a shot past Luukkonen.

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