Wings answer challenge, blitz Islanders in Larkin's triumphant return

Detroit — In possibly their biggest game of the season, the Red Wings showed up and answered the challenge.

Captain Dylan Larkin returned to the lineup and scored two goals, Andrew Copp scored two goals and Christian Fischer and Patrick Kane added goals carrying the Wings to a 6-3 victory over the New York Islanders.

Fischer, Copp and Larkin all scored in the second period as the Wings took a 3-1 lead and assumed control.

Goaltender James Reimer stopped 34 shots to earn the victory.

But the return of Larkin can't be understated, and the lift he appeared to give the team and fans at Little Caesars Arena.

"It means a lot," said Larkin of returning to game action. "Just that feeling of being back in the battle with the guys and being there on the bench and being able to contribute. Just watching everyone contribute and playing as hard as they could, it was exciting."

Larkin returned after having missed the last eight games with a lower-body injury. Without him, the Wings are 2-6-0 during this particular stretch — and are 4-10-0 on the season without Larkin in the lineup.

But Larkin looked sharp in his return and his return regained the balance to the Wings' lineup that was missing.

"Just having everyone slotted correctly, it's unbelievable the difference," said coach Derek Lalonde of having Larkin back in the lineup. "Shame on our group and our coaching staff not getting more out of the group with Dylan out, but it's unbelievable the difference with everyone slotted where they should be.

"Quality win, great team win, just a huge positive and we needed it. We took care of business at home here, three straight wins (at home) and it's even more important with the road trip ahead of us."

BOX SCORE: Red Wings 6, Islanders 3

With the victory, the Wings (36-28-6, 78 points) moved three points ahead of idle Washington and five points ahead of the Islanders. After losing seven consecutive games and any advantage they had in the playoff standings, the Wings have now won three of four games and have reassumed control in the playoff chase.

"We're all in this together," Larkin said. "Every season is long and things happen and just to know the guys in that room, and we have a special group and we should it tonight. We showed it against Columbus (Tuesday) coming back like that. I never questioned our care or how much guys care for each other or the team in that room.

"I knew we'd come out of this and turn it around."

The Islanders got goals from Jean-Gabriel Pageau (power play) and Mathew Barzal, after the Wings had taken a 5-1 lead, to cause a few anxious moments for Wings fans.

But Larkin's second goal, and team-leading 28th goal, an empty-net goal at 16 minutes, 15 seconds of the third period gave the Wings a 6-3 lead.

"It was a tough game in the third (period)," Lalonde said. "You could see the maturity in the group. Take a breather and relax, and a quiet confidence and do our jobs and they did a good job of hanging in there."

It was the checking line of Copp, Fischer and Michael Rasmussen that got the Wings going. They combined for seven points and dominated their matchup against the Islanders' top scoring line.

"Playing the right way," said Lalonde of what keyed the line's big night. "All of their success came off simple hockey. They owned the middle of the ice, defended correctly and played off the forecheck. Everything you want out of our team game. They look a lot of pride having the (Bo) Horvath matchup (New York's scoring line) and they won it.

"It was a big part of our win."

Fischer took an outlet pass from Rasmussen and scored on a breakaway at 11:15 of the second, Fischer's fifth goal, giving the Wings a 1-0 lead.

"Found a way to put it in and got a little excited there with the celebration," Fischer said.

After the Islanders tied it 1-1 on Mike Reilly's fifth goal — a long shot from the top of the slot that beat Reimer five-hole and will want back — the Wings' "Identity Line" came back again.

Copp scored his first of the night, and 11th of the season, crashing the net and tapping a loose puck to the side of Sorokin, regaining a 2-1 lead.

"We all have similar mindsets and three big bodies who are just on the same page," Fischer said. "The three of us, we love that type of thing, the game within the game (matchups) and shutting down those big boys and making it real hard for them (opposing teams). It opens up our other lines."

Lalonde was pleased with the Reimer's — and the Wings' — competitiveness after allowing the easy first goal.

"Those really soft goals keep finding him, but they don't deflate our guys," Lalonde said. "He gives up that goal but our guys know he is going to be there for us and that's exactly what he did. He made a couple of big saves at 5-3 and it just lifted our group.

"We know he's going to battle and it really drives our group."

tkulfan@detroitnews.com

@tkulfan