The Detroit Red Wings have been dealt a major blow, as star forward Dylan Larkin has been placed on injured reserve following a cross-check that rendered him unconscious. The incident occurred in the second period of the Red Wings’ game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday night.
Larkin was hit by Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce, who received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for the hit. Larkin was taken off the ice on a stretcher and later diagnosed with a concussion. He was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation and has since been released.
The Red Wings are now without their leading scorer, as Larkin had tallied 11 goals and 15 assists in 33 games this season. His absence will be felt on both ends of the ice, as he is one of the team’s top penalty killers and power play contributors.
The NHL Department of Player Safety is currently reviewing the incident and could issue a suspension to Pesce. The Red Wings have not provided an update on Larkin’s status, but it is expected that he will miss at least a few weeks of action.
This is an unfortunate situation for both Larkin and the Red Wings, as the team is already dealing with several injuries to key players. Larkin’s absence will be difficult to overcome, but Detroit will look to its depth players to help fill the void.
It remains to be seen how long Larkin will be out of action, but the Red Wings will certainly miss his presence on the ice. Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery for the young star.
