Fireworks ensued after Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig delivered a huge reverse hit on Detroit Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat at the end of the second period on Tuesday.
Dylan Larkin immediately came to DeBrincat's defense by challenging Greig, prompting the fracas.
LARKIN GOES AFTER GREIG FOR A HIT ON DEBRINCAT AND IT LEADS TO AN ALL OUT BRAWL 😱🫨 https://t.co/5KaGlOOEnG
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) October 7, 2026
"Well I didn't like the hit because (DeBrincat's) our best player," Larkin said postgame. "Just thought it was late. You could kind of see it coming. ... I went in there and it was nice when I got up to see the four other guys on the ice in there with me."
Following the melee, Senators forward Nick Cousins appeared to trash-talk Larkin about being stripped of the Red Wings' captaincy. Detroit removed Larkin's "C" in September after he requested a trade in June. Tuesday's game marked Larkin's season debut.
Nick Cousins chirping Dylan Larkin for no longer being captain in Detroit 🤫 https://t.co/3yvZDEOyCF
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 7, 2026
"You can only imagine what he was saying," Larkin said of his discussion with Cousins.
Greig was also making his season debut after serving a two-game suspension to begin the campaign. He was disciplined for sucker-punching Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker in the 2026 playoffs. Greig and DeBrincat were teammates with the Senators in 2022-23.
For the Red Wings, DeBrincat and Ben Chiarot received double minors for roughing, while Larkin was handed a roughing minor. Greig and Shane Pinto were given double minors for roughing for the Senators. No fighting majors were issued.
Larkin registered a goal and an assist in the game, helping Detroit win 5-3.
