On a night with an old-school tribute to Dylan Larkin for being named captain of the Detroit Red Wings last season, Larkin brought an equally old-school vibe when he was ejected for punching Tampa Bay Lightning player Mathieu Joseph.
Larkin, who opened the scoring for the Wings against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champs, was checked into the boards in the Tampa Bay zone by Joseph late in the second period, with the Wings leading 3-1.
He immediately leapt up and swung at an approaching Joseph, connecting with Joseph’s throat and face. Tampa Bay’s Jan Rutta then hit Larkin, sending him to the ice as the other players on the ice began to brawl.