Larkin’s highlight-reel goal leads Red Wings to 1-0 victory in New Jersey

By Tyler Barnes –

A highlight reel breakaway goal from Dylan Larkin was all the Red Wings needed Monday night, as they defeated the New Jersey Devils 1-0 on the road.

Larkin’s goal – his 14th of the season – came in the first period, while Petr Mrazek posted his second shutout of the season, stopping all 22 New Jersey shots. The road victory bumps the Red Wings’ record to 20-13-7 on the season, moving them into fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings (and tied with Montreal).

Mrazek, meanwhile, improves to 13-8-3 on the season, while Larkin took over the NHL rookie goal-scoring race with his 14th tally of the year.

Mrazek was busy in the first period, as the Red Wings were outshot by a 12-9 margin. On the first shift of the game Travis Zajac skated in alone after a defensive miscue, but Mrazek was able to knock the puck away with a poke-check when Zajac tried to cut to the middle.

Midway through the first period, Riley Sheahan gained control of the puck in his own end and found an open Brad Richards on the right wing. Richards, in turn, found a streaking Larkin, who snuck behind the Devils defense to receive a breakaway pass.

After freezing Cory Schneider with a fake shot, Larkin made a beautiful move to his backhand and buried the puck into the wide-open net.

The Red Wings would hold on to that 1-0 lead throughout the first and second periods, staying aggressive on the fore-check and not letting up with a one-goal lead.

At 13:03 of the third period, Justin Abdelkader took a penalty for kneeing New Jersey forward Jiri Tlusty. The Detroit penalty-killing unit was up to the task—denying the Devils a shot on the man-advantage.

The line of Larkin, Sheahan and Richards have seemed to develop some chemistry after Detroit head coach Jeff Blashill made a few tweaks to his lineup on Sunday in Buffalo. The trio has combined for 7 points in the last two games.

Detroit will begin a four game west coast swing beginning with a trip to San Jose to take on the Sharks on Thursday night.