Dylan Larkin looking at a potential suspension after Red Wings star forcefully hits opponent in the head

This pre-season has been a wild one for the NHL, and now with just days until the regular season, Red Wings star Dylan Larkin could be looking at a suspension.

Thus far in the 2024 NHL pre-season, we've seen drama in the Canadiens-Maple Leafs, Senators-Canadiens and Florida-Tampa Bay matchups, and now we have yet another star facing a possible suspension. During their clash with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday, Detroit Red Wings star Dylan Larkin took down Marshall Rifai, and it appears as though it could cost him a regular season game.

This is yet another example in the pre-season of a player going after their opponents head for absolutely no reason, as Larkin had every opportunity during this play to simply try and stop the puck or hit the body of Rifai, but instead he chose to go after his head, and it may now cost him. Unfortunately for Larkin, he's now built up a reputation around the NHL of cheap shots like this one, and with many enforcer types such as Ryan Reaves still in the league, don't expect the Maple Leafs to forget this when they clash for the first time in the regular season on November 8th.

While Larkin was given just a two minute minor on the play, in stark contrast to the penalties handed out to Montreal's Arber Xhekaj for similar conduct in the pre-season, Rifai was just fine and was able to continue in the game, which is a silver lining for an unnecessarily dirty play. It's unclear whether the league are looking to suspend a player for a regular season game over his acts in the pre-season, but it's safe to say that Maple Leafs fans believe a suspension is warranted.

We will find out if the league is going to hold a hearing for Larkin later on Friday, and while it should happen, it's highly unlikely given how lenient the league have been this pre-season, but don't expect Toronto to let him off that easily the next time the two teams face off.

Source: Blade of Steel
Detroit Red Wings' Dylan Larkin facing possible suspension for hit to the head

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