Ever since being mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, the Red Wings’ young players have been playing great. In the seven games since their playoff dreams died, the Wings have gone 3-3-1, but Tyler Bertuzzi has scored five goals and one assist and Dylan Larkin has scored four goals and added five assists.

In Thursday night’s game against the Montreal Canadiens, Larkin scored his 15th goal of the season and oh boy was it a beauty!

Larkin is so fast and smart with the puck. He literally skated through four Montreal players while crossing the blueline there. And then, he put his silky smooth hands to work to fool Antti Niemi and tie the game up.

Though the Wings would ultimately lose the game, it’s nice seeing Larkin playing full of confidence like this. He was a bit snake bitten most of the year when it came to goal scoring, but has broken out since his two goal game against the Philadelphia Flyers on March 20th.

Larkin leads all Red Wings in points this season with 62. The 60-point milestone unlocked $650,000 worth of bonuses for him. With the way he’s played this season, he’s going to make the offseason very hard for Ken Holland and co. as they negotiate the RFA waters with him, Bertuzzi, Anthony Mantha, Andreas Athanasiou, and Martin Frk all due for new contracts.

Above anyone else, Larkin deserves his pay day. He is, after all, the D-Boss.