Dylan Larkin Returns to Save the Red Wings from an Early-Season Spiral

Dylan Larkin is officially expected to make his season debut tonight when the Detroit Red Wings host the Ottawa Senators. Daily Faceoff reported the captain's return, and not a moment too soon for a team that already looks like it is skating in quicksand.

The Red Wings have stumbled out of the gate to an ugly 0-2 start. They got blanked by the New York Rangers on opening night and followed it up by dropping a 3-2 decision to the Winnipeg Jets.

"Daily Faceoff reports Dylan Larkin is expected to make his season debut tonight."

Watching this Detroit offense without their top center has been like watching someone try to start a lawnmower with no gas. There is plenty of effort and noise, but absolutely zero forward movement. Two goals in 120 minutes of hockey is a recipe for an early offseason.

Larkin stepping back onto the ice shifts the entire dynamic of this matchup. You do not just plug a number-one center back into the lineup and expect a minor bump. He changes the math on every shift, anchors the power play, and forces opposing defenses to actually respect Detroit's top six.

The timing is critical because the Senators are rolling into Little Caesars Arena looking like an absolute wagon. Ottawa is sitting at a perfect 2-0 after going on the road and taking down the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins.

From a matchup perspective, Larkin's return completely flips how you have to evaluate Detroit tonight. Ottawa has outscored two heavyweights 7-3, but they haven't faced a Red Wings roster operating at full capacity yet.

We will see if Larkin has any early-season rust to shake off or if he immediately stops the bleeding. If Detroit drops to 0-3 at home while Ottawa stays perfect, the panic meter in Hockeytown is going to snap completely off the dial.