Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill is pissed off!

It was an absolutely crazy game last night at Little Caesars Arena between the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning and the Detroit Red Wings, a contest that would eventually see the visitors overcome a three goal deficit twice en route to a stunning 7-6 overtime win. 

However, one of the bigger stories that was lost in the midst of all the chaotic scoring was Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin's retaliatory punch on Lightning forward Mathieu Joseph, who had just hit him from behind.

Larkin arose, clearly agitated, and immediately swung at Joseph's head as he skated by, setting off a brief melee on the ice. Larkin would not return to the game, as he was assessed a match penalty. Per League rules, the NHL automatically reviews every match penalty, and has scheduled a hearing with Larkin for his actions. Meanwhile, Larkin is set to see a specialist for his neck. 

Larkin had missed the last portion of last season's games after being speared in the neck by Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn, and spent the offseason rehabbing the injury. 

Needless to say, the Red Wings aren't happy. Just ask head coach Jeff Blashill. 

“At the end of last year, Larks got a crosscheck to the back of the neck with enough force that he spent the night in hospital and spent eight weeks in a cervical hard collar," Blashill said. "There was no penalty on the play, which, that happens. Things happen fast. And there was no suspension.

"So if you’re Dylan Larkin, or you’re us, it kind of sets the standard a little bit. It sets the standard a little bit that that’s not worthy of it and we have to make sure we police ourselves a little bit. Certainly, that’s what partially would go through his head. Then you fast-forward to (Thursday’s) game and they have a player that’s trying to play up the lineup for the first time, and kind of took a run at (Lucas) Raymond on one side, and then comes back over. … He hits him right in the numbers and Lark's head goes into the glass. At that point, he gets up, there’s no penalty called. He’s thinking, we have to police ourselves out here.”

“I feel bad, pissed off, for Larks that he has to take that punishment and then feels the need on a regular basis to defend himself.”