Helene St. James

Detroit Free Press

PITTSBURGH -- Dylan Larkin watched the rivalry at its most intense, allied with one side while admiring the other.

In a season full of memorable firsts, Larkin had great expectations as he eyed his first taste of the rivalry between the Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins, Consol Energy Center edition.

The teams met New Year’s Eve in Detroit, where the Penguins pulled off a 5-2 victory that jump-started a surge in the standings.

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said today the rivalry “is still there” even though more than half a decade has passed since the sides met in the 2008 and 2009 Stanley Cup Finals. In those days, it was Crosby vs. Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk vs. Evgeni Malkin (who currently is sidelined by a lower body injury) and friction to the hilt. It delighted a younger Larkin.

“I remember watching that and being a Wings fan and seeing them win a Cup here and seeing Pittsburgh win a Cup in Detroit,” said Larkin, from Waterford. “It was cool. Going through playoff series and having hatred like that, it’s got to be a heated rivalry.

“I’m excited to play a game here and see how the fans are here. I know how the fans don’t like Pittsburgh in Detroit, so I’m excited to see a game here.”

Larkin scored his 19th goal during the game, but the Wings ended up losing, 6-3. Larkin called the arena "a beautiful building. The fans love the Penguins and I think it'd be a great playoff atmosphere. It was a great atmosphere."

Larkin grew up a Red Wings fan — and a stealth fan of the one Penguins player who still gets booed when he plays at the Joe.

“I was a big Sidney Crosby fan,” Larkin said. “He was probably my favorite player.”

Asked if he’s had to renounce that allegiance since joining the Wings, Larkin smiled.

“I still appreciate him,” he said. “He’s having a great year. I appreciate what he does.”

Contact Helene St. James: hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames.

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