Dylan Larkin heard the sharp criticism from his coach and accepted it on Friday night after practising at Ohio Stadium.

The Dylan Larkin importance to the Detroit team is such that when he’s not on top of his game the Red Wings are not on top of theirs. “I can’t beat around the bush — he was missing,” Detroit coach Todd McLellan said after the Columbus Blue Jackets downed Detroit 5-2 in the first game of their ultra-important home-and-home series.

Lucas Raymond never matched up against Dylan Larkin on the ice, but that was about the only disappointment Raymond had.

Detroit Red Wings coach Todd McLellan believes his team will reveal its true identity over the next eight weeks. The mask will come off. “Are we October to December or are we December to February?,” McLellan said Wednesday as the team prepares to resume the regular-season Saturday with a 12:30 game (ABC).

Lucas Raymond was back with the Detroit Red Wings on Friday following the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, and Dylan Larkin is expected Saturday.

The 4 Nations Face-Off came to a thrilling conclusion on Thursday night with Connor McDavid giving Team Canada an overtime win over Team USA. Detroit Red Wings star Lucas Raymond did not play in this final.