Notebook: Larkin continues strong season; Rowney close to returning

It's hard to summarize the impact of captain Dylan Larkin on the Detroit Red Wings this season because there are so many things he has done well.
From his presence on the ice to his leadership in the dressing room, Larkin's impact has been immeasurable, and his late defensive effort in Detroit's 3-2 overtime win over the New York Rangers last Thursday is the latest symbol of who Larkin is as an athlete in what has been the best season of his career.

With 22 seconds left in the extra frame, Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin stopped a shot from Robby Fabbri and sent a leading pass to Artemi Panarin, who carried the puck towards Red Wings goalie Thomas Greiss. With the game on the line, Larkin chased Panarin from behind and disrupted his shot attempt, preserving the 2-2 tie and ultimately sending the game into a shootout.

"I didn't know if he had any gas left in the tank," Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. "He found a way to get him. It speaks to his competitiveness. He's got lots of real good attributes, one of his best is his pure competitiveness. Was I surprised he caught him? A little bit, but not really knowing Dylan."
It was another highlight-reel moment for Larkin, whose play has been a big part of the Red Wings' resurgence this season. According to ESPN Stats & Info, Larkin became just the third Red Wings player in the last 25 years to collect 25 goals and 25 assists in the team's first 50 games, joining Henrik Zetterberg (2007-08) and Brendan Shanahan (1996-97) as the only Red Wings to accomplish the feat.

Through 46 games this season, Larkin has notched a career-high 26 goals and 53 points, leading the team in both categories.

Rowney eyeing return

Red Wings forward Carter Rowney has been sidelined since Jan. 4 with an upper-body injury, but Rowney took part in Monday's practice and is close to returning to the lineup.
After practice, Blashill updated the status of Rowney and Vladislav Namestnikov, who's missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury.
"We're using today's skate as a little bit of an evaluation," Blashill said. "I'll sit down with our training staff this afternoon, get a feel for where those guys are at. But there's both certainly potential for Wednesday, I would say right now."

Blashill didn't commit to Rowney returning for Wednesday's game against the Colorado Avalanche, but he said when Rowney does return, the forward will provide a calming presence to the young Red Wings' lineup.
"Really, really good awareness. Very, very calm, makes good reads in chaos, which to be a better defensive team, you need that," Blashill said. "He's a big body, he can make a play and also go out and give you real good minutes without giving up many scoring chances which I think is really important for the progress of our hockey team."
While Rowney's been out, he's had a chance to watch the club's progress and said he's encouraged with the direction.
"The last few games since the (All-Star) break, the guys have played well. They've been in every game," Rowney said. "Obviously we won a majority of those, but they're playing hard, and you can see that we're taking steps in the right way and it's been fun to watch."
Detroit will need to continue to play tough to navigate what's left of its 2021-22 schedule. As it currently stands, 14 of the Red Wings' 20 upcoming opponents have a .500 record or better.
Despite the difficult schedule ahead, the Red Wings are still in the playoff hunt, which is uncharted waters for many of the younger players. But for Rowney, this presents an opportunity to serve as a mentor, something that he sought to do since he first signed with Detroit.
"I thought I could bring some advice to some younger guys and help bring them along," Rowney said. "But also come in and help compete for spots, and help be a good guy in the locker room to bring along some of the young guys."

With two practice days before facing the Avalanche on Wednesday, Rowney knows how valuable this extra time to prepare can be.
"I think you've got to take it day by day and you gotta go out there and work in practice," Rowney said. "Everyone who has been in this league is just used to playing games after games, so I think in a way, it's good. It gets a little break on the body but at the same time, you gotta be sharp for practice."