Dylan. Larkin didn’t want to talk about it, which is understandable given the Detroit Red Wings’ situation.

The team’s captain and top center is playing hurt, but with the season on the line – there are eight games left, the next on Thursday, April 2, at the Philadelphia Flyers – he’s where the Wings need him: In the lineup.

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“We have more hockey in front of us and I’ve got to win way more battles for these guys than I did tonight and even last [game] against Philly,” Larkin said after the 5-1 loss at the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday. “I think leading that way, and winning battles, winning your one-on-one battles and keeping the puck.”

Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) enters the penalty box after being called for tripping against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) enters the penalty box after being called for tripping against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

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Larkin played just a touch over 14 minutes, capped by only about four minutes in the third period. He missed time in the first and second period, the latter after getting tangled up with Pittsburgh’s Ben Kindel. Larkin engaged in a shoving match with Noel Acciari late in the second period, but officials were quick to intervene to prevent it from going any further.

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Tuesday’s game was Larkin’s fourth appearance since missing seven games with an injury to his right leg sustained March 6.

“We give him credit for slugging through it, and it’s clear he’s not 100% the way he’s skating,” coach Todd McLellan said. “Yet there’s some situations that he has to play better. If you’re going to put the gear on, you have to be real good and positionally sound. So we expect that from him.

“We’ll have to manage him a little bit with situations and minutes. But when he is out there, we have to expect the best from him.”

Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dylan Larkin plays hurt for Detroit Red Wings: ‘Got to win more battles’