Captain Clutch: Larkin Hits 250-Goal Milestone in Dominant Win Over Blues
Hello? Does this season feel different or what? If you’ve been riding the rollercoaster with our Detroit Red Wings for the past few years, you know the bumps have been plentiful. But Tuesday night in St. Louis? That was unexpected, as I figured the Blues would be ready for payback from the Wings’ miraculous comeback just a few short days ago. The Wings rolled into enemy territory and handled business, skating away with a convincing 5-2 victory over the Blues and improving to a stellar 7-3 on the season.
And the cherry on top? Captain Dylan Larkin didn’t just have a good game; he had a historic one, potting two goals, including the 250th of his career. It’s a moment that felt like more than just a number—it felt like a statement.
The Captain Plants His Flag
Let’s be real, the game didn’t start perfectly. The Blues came out flying, and Brayden Schenn found the back of the net just 47 seconds after puck drop. In past seasons, an early goal like that on the road could have been the beginning of the end. You could almost feel the collective groan from every Wings fan watching the game. Uh, Oh, here we go! But this team seems different and more capable, with a different kind of resilience.
They didn’t panic. They just went to work.
The comeback started with an unlikely hero when defenseman Ben Chiarot fired a puck that took a fortunate deflection and tied the game at one apiece. That goal seemed to settle the bench down, and from there, the Wings started to impose their will. Later in the first, it was the hometown kid, Alex DeBrincat, who gave Detroit the lead for good, tipping a Moritz Seider shot on the power play. Getting “The Cat” going is crucial, and seeing him find the scoresheet again just feels right.
But the second period belonged to the Captain. Dylan Larkin, who looked increasingly focused, took over. He buried his first of the night on a beautiful feed from Simon Edvinsson to stretch the lead to 3-1. Then, with just over a minute left in the game and the Blues’ net empty, Lucas Raymond fed Larkin, who sealed the deal with career goal number 250.
Hitting 250 goals is a massive achievement for any player, but for a kid from Waterford, Michigan, to do it while wearing the Winged Wheel and the ‘C’ on his chest? That’s great stuff. It officially places him 11th on the Red Wings’ all-time goal-scoring list, rubbing elbows with some of the greatest ever to play the game.
I’ve been critical of Larkin in previous seasons, but this year, his speed, skill, and relentless drive have been on full display. He looks much more the part of a Captain.
In a post-game chat, Larkin was quick to share the credit. “I’m just just playing with good players, and everyone’s clicking, you know?” he said, via Detroit Hockey Now. “And I think we’ve had different heroes every night, and every time we won it’s a different story.”
He’s not wrong. Every night, it seems someone new is stepping up.
More Than a One-Man Show
While Larkin’s milestone rightfully steals the headlines, this victory was a total team effort, and that’s what should have fans the most excited. The depth is finally starting to shine through.
Take Elmer Soderblom, for instance. The 6’8″ forward found himself wide open in the slot in the second period and made no mistake, burying a pass from Michael Rasmussen for his first goal of the season. That goal, which made it 4-1, felt like a back-breaker. Seeing contributions from guys like Soderblom and Chiarot is exactly what this Wings team desperately needs. You can’t just rely on your top lines to carry you every night.
And how about the effort between the pipes? John Gibson, holding the fort down, was solid all night. While he only faced 22 shots, he made the saves he needed to make, especially in the second period when the Blues were trying to claw their way back into it. He was calm, cool, and collected—even after that first-minute goal. That kind of steady presence is invaluable, especially on the road.
The victory was the Wings’ second straight over the Blues, having pulled off a wild 6-4 comeback win just a few nights earlier in Detroit. To beat the same team twice in a row, once at home and once on the road, shows a level of focus and maturity that this young roster is quickly developing.
On to the City of Angels
Now, the celebration has to be short. This win kicked off a five-game road trip, and the challenges only get tougher from here. Next up, the Wings head to California for a Thursday night showdown with the Los Angeles Kings. The Kings are coming off a 4-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks.
The Kings are a perennially tough, physical team that will test Detroit’s resolve in every zone. It will be another measuring stick for a Red Wings team that is looking to prove its hot 7-3 start is no fluke. This is no longer about moral victories or “competing hard.” This is about banking points and climbing the standings.
For the first time in a long time, it feels like the expectation is to win. And based on what we saw Tuesday night—from the captain’s historic performance to the crucial goals from the supporting cast—it’s an expectation this team is more than ready to meet.
The Winged Wheel is flying high, and it’s a beautiful sight to see.
Sources: Detroit Hockey Now; Hockey-Reference.com; The Hockey Writers.
