Dylan Larkin Anchors Team USA’s Third Line in Opening Olympic Win Over Latvia
Team USA opened its 2026 Olympic campaign with a 5-1 win over Latvia, and while the scoreboard leaned heavily in the Americans’ favor, the story within the lines was just as telling - especially when it comes to the role of Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin.
Larkin centered the third line alongside Winnipeg’s Kyle Connor and Buffalo’s Tage Thompson, logging 13:52 of ice time. That’s not top-line minutes, but it’s a workload that speaks to his versatility and trust level with the coaching staff. He wasn’t featured on the top two power play units, but he did see time on the penalty kill - a nod to the two-way reliability that’s become his calling card in international play, just as it was during the 4 Nations Face-Off earlier this year.
Doing the Dirty Work
Larkin didn’t show up on the scoresheet, but his impact was felt in the faceoff circle, where he went 8-for-10 - an 80% win rate that led all American centers. In a tournament where puck possession is everything, especially on the larger international ice, winning draws is a foundational piece of success. Larkin also registered one shot on goal, took a minor penalty, and finished the game even in plus-minus.
While his linemate Thompson cashed in with a power play goal, and stars like Jack Eichel, Matthew Tkachuk, Jack Hughes, and Quinn Hughes each picked up two assists, Larkin’s contributions were more subtle - the kind of work that doesn’t always make headlines but wins coaches’ trust.
Ice Time Breakdown
Larkin’s usage was in line with other key forwards not on the top line. Jack Eichel led all U.S. forwards with 18:13 of ice time, followed closely by Matthew Tkachuk at 17:55. Larkin’s minutes were just a notch below those of Brady Tkachuk and Auston Matthews, both of whom played slightly more but filled similar hybrid roles.
It’s clear that head coach Mike Sullivan sees Larkin as a utility player - someone who can be deployed in a variety of situations without sacrificing structure or pace. He’s not the flashiest name on this roster, but he’s one of the most dependable.
Between the Pipes and Behind the Bench
Michigan native Connor Hellebuyck got the nod in goal and had a relatively quiet night, needing just 17 saves to secure the win. Sullivan hasn’t tipped his hand yet when it comes to his goaltending rotation, with Jeremy Swayman and Jake Oettinger also on the roster. But with games coming quickly in tournament play, it’s likely we’ll see more than one netminder before long.
There’s also a family vibe running through this U.S. squad. The Hughes brothers - Jack and Quinn - and the Tkachuks - Brady and Matthew - give Team USA two sets of brothers, echoing a bit of history.
Back in 1960, the Americans had two Cleary brothers (Bill and Bob) and two Christian brothers (Roger and Bill) during their gold medal run. It’s a fun wrinkle, but more importantly, it’s a sign of the generational talent pipeline that’s feeding USA Hockey right now.
Game Flow and Takeaways
The Americans didn’t come out quite as sharp as Canada did in its 5-0 dismantling of Czechia, but they controlled the game from start to finish. The 1-1 score after the first period was a bit misleading - Team USA had two goals overturned via coach’s challenges, one for offside and another for goalie interference. That second call was a reminder that the international standard for goalie interference leans more protective than what we see in the NHL.
Once the second period hit, the U.S. found its rhythm. Colorado’s Brock Nelson scored twice in the frame, helping the Americans pull away and never look back.
Looking Ahead
Next up for the U.S. is a Saturday matchup against Denmark at 3 p.m. Denmark dropped its opener 3-1 to Germany, led by Detroit’s Moritz Seider.
The Danes have six NHL players on their roster, with Nikolaj Ehlers being the headliner. Ehlers, notably, had no interest in signing with the Red Wings during his last free agency window, but he remains Denmark’s most dynamic offensive threat.
For Team USA, the goal will be to tighten things up, especially early, and continue building chemistry across all four lines. And for Larkin, it’s another opportunity to do what he does best - play smart, responsible hockey in all three zones and lead by example, whether he’s on the scoresheet or not.