DETROIT - Anthony Mantha was struggling at the start of the season and was troubled by it.
Detroit Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill in the past has publicly criticized Mantha for lapses in competitiveness, but he wasn't about to risk exacerbating the situation this time.
Now Mantha appears to have worked his way out of the slump. Blashill said Mantha has played a high level for a month, gelling with Dylan Larkin on the top line.
"Maybe I'm learning him better, too," Blashill said. "He wants to be real good. Sometimes players need a kick in the butt, but sometimes they need confidence.