Why Larkin's Absence Hurts

[Pop Zeus]

Earlier this year, when Larkin was out, Patrick Kane was scoring and the Wings kept losing.
This time, he's not scoring much and the Wings are losing.

Larkin fits the lunch pail identity coach Lalonde has been trying to build.
Skate hard. Skate fast. Disrupt the other team. Take advantage of their mistakes. Score goals.
In that way, Larkin is a good captain for this team.

When Larkin's out, I think this team looks toward Patrick Kane as the leader.
Not many Red Wings can play and have any success playing Kane's game.'

Larks is a point-per-game guy. Most teams don't completely fall apart when they lose a point-per-game guy who's not particularly good defensively.

While this slump isn't solely due to Larkin's absence (Lyon's disastrous fall plays a huge part), it sort of explains a lot of the way this team looks so lethargic so often.

In the 2nd and 3rd period against Buffalo, the Fischer-Copp-Ras line really set the tone, sealing the Sabres in their own zone. The Sabres' outlets were so bad I think they only gained the blueline with possession 2-3 times in the entire second period.

Until Larkin is back, I'd play the Fischer-Copp-Ras line as the top line and whenever you need a good shift.