[US, Mexico Canada customers only] Feb 20, 2026; Milan, Italy; Dylan Larkin of United States celebrates with teammates after scoring their first goal against Slovakia in a men's ice hockey semifinal during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena

Photo credit: Mike Segar/Reuters via Imagn Images

Dylan Larkin just got pulled into an Olympic gold conversation that was supposed to be all about Auston Matthews.

Matthews wears the “C” for Team USA, but one passed-up shot has the Olympic spotlight turning harsh.

The clip went viral Sunday because Matthews had a clean look in tight and still tried to pass.

For Red Wings fans, the part that hits differently is what happened before the puck even dropped.

During the team walkout, Larkin looked like the guy driving the group forward.

That tiny “optics” moment sparked the usual body-language frenzy, and it put Larkin right in the middle of a captaincy debate he never asked for.

Some outlets even threw a Ben Simmons-style comparison at Matthews for refusing the shot.

That’s the kind of noise that grows legs fast at the Olympics, especially with Canada waiting in the gold medal game.

Dylan Larkin gives Team USA its Detroit edge

Wings fans have seen this movie, Larkin can look calm and still be the heartbeat when the moment gets loud.

The thing is, Matthews has actually produced, with 26-22-48 through 51 NHL games, and he’s had big nights in Milan too.

This feels less like a talent issue and more like a “trust your release” issue in the slot.

Meanwhile, Larkin keeps showing why coaches lean on him when the ice tilts.

He opened the scoring against Sweden in the quarterfinal, then watched Team USA survive and advance in overtime.

That’s the Detroit angle, leadership isn’t always the loudest voice, sometimes it’s the first guy to the next puck.

If Team USA finishes this off with gold, the internet will crown someone.

But for Red Wings fans, it’s hard not to smile seeing Larkin’s presence treated like the standard.

Previously on Detroit Hockey Insider

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