from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News,

"Everyone in our locker room is playing for something," Larkin said. "There are roles on the team next year, contracts, you're playing for a lot here. If that's not enough, play for the love of the game and come out and enjoy the grind a bit and enjoying being in a one-goal game and playing the right way."

Many of the younger Wings in the lineup arguably have more to play more than any others in these final weeks.

Forwards Michael Rasmussen, Filip Zadina, Joe Veleno and Givani Smith (currently injured), and defensemen Filip Hronek, Gustav Lindstrom, Olli Juolevi and Jake Walman are players who quickly come to mind.

Zadina, Juolevi and Walman are restricted free agents. Zadina, Hronek and Lindstrom are players whose performances haven't lived up to expectations, and could use a good finish heading into the offseason. Rasmussen has played well, and could be cementing a bigger role, while the Wings may not be completely clear as to what they have with Veleno and Smith, and how big of a role either could, or should, have.

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