Minutes after losing to the Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin's thoughts were with the family of late Columbus star Johnny Gaudreau.

Red Wings players honored the late Columbus Blue Jackets player ahead of their outdoor game in Columbus. More Videos. Matthew Stafford buzz takes over NFL combine as QB's future u

The Columbus Blue Jackets wore what Johnny Gaudreau used to wear to the rink while the Detroit Red Wings wore jerseys honoring the Gaudreau brothers.

The Detroit Red Wings arrived at Ohio Stadium wearing a selection of jerseys from Johnny Gaudreau and brother Matthew, who were killed on Aug. 29.

The Columbus Blue Jackets wore what Johnny Gaudreau used to wear to the rink while the Detroit Red Wings wore jerseys honoring the Gaudreau brothers.

Johnny Gaudreau was an inspiration to Team USA during its run at the recent 4 Nations Face-Off. The team hung his No. 13 jersey in a locker room stall. Red Wings coach Todd McLellan coached Gaudreau during the 2016 World Cup of Hockey with Team North America.

The Columbus Blue Jackets had defeated the Detroit Red Wings 5-3 in the 2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, and they’d done it in front of 94,751, the second-largest crowd in NHL history.

Both team paid tribute to the late hockey player ahead of the game, with Gaudreau's family leading Columbus into the stadium.

The Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings collectively held heavy hearts as they made their way to Ohio Stadium for their NHL Stadium Series matchup Saturday. Blue Jackets left wing Johnny Gaudreau tragically lost his life along with his brother Matthew in late August when they were struck by an alleged drunk driver while bicycling near their hometown in southern New Jersey.

The Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings honored Johnny Gaudreau ahead of their Stadium Series matchup.

Gaudreau will be here in spirit when the Blue Jackets play the Detroit Red Wings in the 2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series on Saturday (6 p.m. ET; ESPN, ESPN+, Disney+, TVAS-D, FX-CA).

The Stadium Series game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday promised to have it all: a crowd of more than 90,000 — making it the second largest in NHL history — and an electric atmosphere inside the iconic Ohio Stadium.