Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin scored the game-winning goal in Team USA’s 3-1 win over Canada at the Four Nations Face-Off on Saturday night, ensuring that the Americans have a berth in the tournament final next Thursday…
Given the way that the hockey world focused on the “hat trick’s” worth of fights that opened the game, the booing of the American national anthem, and the performances (or the lack thereof) from the host Canadians, you might have been forgiven if you forgot that this happened:
Larkin registered a goal and an assist, playing on the Americans’ third line, but the post-game talking points came from 2-goal-scorer Jake Guentzel and the brothers Tkachuk, so it was a pleasant surprise to see #71…I mean #21…mentioned by Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis as a standout player for the Americans…
#21 Dylan Larkin, C (Detroit Red Wings): Originally, this was going to say “What would it take for USA to use Larkin more?” But then, he scored to make it 2-1, and USA started to listen. His speed has been on full display over the two games, but the puck, more often than not, has been in the opponent’s end when he’s on the ice. Larkin brings so much energy to every shift and he’s one of the few bottom-six players that you can continuously count on getting to the middle and trying to generate something no matter the defensive opponent.
And The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa mentioned Larkin’s play as a point of emphasis, too…
Dylan Larkin started the tournament as America’s No. 4 right wing. He will not be back there anytime soon.
Larkin, promoted to third-line center against Canada, was electric in the second period. He nearly executed an inside-out move in front of Jordan Binnington, but rang his shot off the left post.
Larkin made up for his miss later in the second.
The Americans made a stout play in the defensive zone. Matt Boldy picked off a Sidney Crosby pass to initiate a two-on-one rush for Larkin and Miller. Meanwhile, Thomas Harley had gone off the ice for a change after getting the puck into the offensive zone.
With only Travis Sanheim back for Canada, Larkin pushed the pace and whistled a shot on net, never even looking at Miller as an option. Larkin’s shot sizzled through Jordan Binnington, giving the Americans a 2-1 lead.
But NHL.com’s Dan Rosen got into the Americans’ locker room after the game, and he offered a few quotes from the original article–and they’re what you would expect from a very proud American:
Continue reading Dylan Larkin makes an entrance on the Four Nations Face-Off stage