Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin played third line center for Team USA in a 5-1 win against Latvia in the opening game for both teams at the 2026 Olympics.<\/p>\n
TOI<\/p>\n
Centering Kyle Connor (Winnipeg) and Tage Thompson (Buffalo), Larkin logged 13:52 minutes. He is not on USA\u2019s top two power play units, but he does kill penalties. Just like at 4 Nations Face-off, Larkin is establishing himself as a player who can contribute offensively and defensively. The USA forwards with the most ice time were Jack Eichel (18:13) and Matthew Tkachuk (17:55). Larkin\u2019s playing time was in line with the likes of Brady Tkachuk and Austin Matthews who played a couple of minutes more<\/p>\n
Production<\/p>\n
Larkin had no points, but he was the team\u2019s best faceoff center with an 8-2 (80%) game. He did have a penalty and an even plus-minus. Larkin had one shot on goal. Larkin\u2019s linemate, Thompson, did have a power play goal. Matthew Tkachuk, Jack Hughes, Quinn Hughes and Jack Eichel all had two assists.<\/p>\n
Game Notes<\/p>\n
Michigan native Connor Hellebuyck got the start in goal for USA. He needed only 17 saves. Coach Mike Sullivan hasn\u2019t discussed his goaltending plans for the tournament. Jeremy Swayman and Jake Oettinger are his other options. . . Jack and Quinn Hughes and Brady and Matthew Tkachuk give USA two sets of brothers. This is not the first time an American Olympic hockey team had two sets of brothers. In 1960, Bill and Bob Cleary, plus Roger and Bill Cleary played for the Americans\u2019 in their gold medal run. . . Grand Rapids Griffins player Eduards Tralmaks played for Latvia.<\/p>\n
Analysis<\/p>\n
The Americans were not probably as dialed as Canada was in its 5-0 win against Czechia, but USA had complete control of the game. The Latvians and Americans were tied after the first period only because USA had two apparent goals nullified by coaches challenges (one on an offside and another on goalie interference). We learned in this game that the international standard for goalie interference is more pro-goalie than the NHL standard. The Americans broke the game open with three goals in the second period, two by Colorado Avalanche forward Brock Nelson.<\/p>\n
Next Game<\/p>\n