WATCH: Dylan Larkin avoids SUSPENSION with $5K fine following hit on T.J. Oshie, NHL Twitter reacts

Dylan Larkin avoids game misconduct as NHL issues $5K fine for his high-stick hit on T.J. Oshie while Red Wings breath of relief.

<strong>WATCH: Dylan Larkin avoids SUSPENSION with $5K fine following hit on T.J. Oshie, NHL Twitter reacts</strong>

Dylan Larkin hits T.J. Oshie [Image Credit: Nova Caps]

The Detroit Red Wings will not be missing their captain Dylan Larkin as the NHL issued a maximum of $5K fine for his hit on Capitals T.J. Oshie. Larkin holds significant importance in the team especially as they were facing Washington Capitals prior Stanley Cup Playoff run.

During the 1st period of Tuesday’s game, Larkin was tossed out of the game following an illegal hit to the Capitals forward. Though the hit almost seemed unintentional, the NHL officials called out Larkin giving him a 5-minute penalty and game misconduct shoutout.

YouTube video

The Red Wings dreaded that their captain won’t be able to make in into their Thursday game against New York Rangers, but the league’s Wednesday call changed their scenario. The league stated, “Detroit’s Dylan Larkin has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for Cross-checking Washington’s T.J. Oshie.”

FS Video

Related: Alex Ovechkin likely to return prior game against Ducks as Capitals PILE UP losses in absence of “The Great Eight”

Dylan Larkin will play in the game against New York Rangers

Dylan Larkin [Image Credit: Detroit Free Press]
Dylan Larkin [Image Credit: Detroit Free Press]

Even with Dylan Larkin out of the team, the Detroit Red Wings managed to snatch the victory from the Washington Capitals with a 3-1 record. The Capitals are currently missing their captain Alex Ovechkin, but he was reported to be joining this very week.

The captain is yet to make a comment following the league’s decision to not rule out Larking from future games. According to Freep.com, Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde commented on his behalf, stating the situation at Capital One Arena, “It looked like it might be a little bit of a reverse hit, which Oshie is in one of the best in the world at”. 

“I think he just kind of braced himself, maybe tried to give him a push and his stick rode up. He has no history and obviously it wasn’t malicious. We already lost him for an entire game basically, so hopefully we will have him available for Thursday.”

Derek called the team’s win a “gutsy” move as the players managed to hold the fort and win despite missing their captain from the lineup. They have won 8 of their last 11 games and are just 2 points within the final wild card spot entry.

Derek complimented the team saying, “Great road trip, finished off by a really good effort tonight”. “Obviously, not ideal losing Larks early on. Everyone kind of stepped up a little more. We managed our game great. Ville (Huso) was huge. Just something I hope we can build off because that was a pretty gutsy win.”

Red Wings forward Pius Suter contributed greatly to the win by picking up a pair of goals, scoring 5 goals and 5 games. Suter told Bally Sports Detroit, “This was a huge game”. “With Larks being out in the first period everybody got a little more ice time and stepped up big and we got the two points.”

Derek further commented, “If you’re going to go on a run like this, keep stringing wins together like this, you got to get some balanced scoring and we got that. I just love our commitment to the defensive side of the game, especially in losing a center.” 

“A little chaos with some of the lines, some of the line changes but our guys managed it extremely well. Despite how important this game was standings-wise, it was just an all-around great effort to find a way to win a game.”

In case you missed:

Sidney Crosby FAILS to end cold skid following team’s 4-2 loss against Islanders prior Stanley Cup Playoff run

Connor McDavid set to become 5th fastest NHL player to reach 800-point milestone