MLive’s Ansar Khan filed a post-game notebook article in which he noted that, after the Red Wings dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to the Florida Panthers, both captain Dylan Larkin and coach Jeff Blashill were asked questions about Anthony Mantha’s early-season struggles to find the back of the net. Here’s what Larkin and Blashill had to say about #39:
“I think he’s working hard, he’s trying to get his game going,” Blashill said. “I think he’s played better the last couple of games.
“Anthony cares, he wants to be a good player. He’s just got to keep grinding. The biggest thing with any of our guys is to make sure you’re proactive with your work ethic ahead of time so then you’re in good positions to check, get pucks and attack better the other way, and Anthony has done a better job at that.”
Mantha has two goals and three assists in nine games, along with a minus-9 rating that is among the worst in the league.
“With Mo, he knows he has to take a step,” Larkin said. “He’s working, he’s trying to find his game.
“I thought (Saturday) was one of his best games. He was moving his feet. He’s got such long range and a great shot that if he moves his feet, he’s such a dangerous player, breaks up plays and ends up going the other way on offense. He wants to do better, and we got to do a good job getting him going and pumping him up and making sure he’s playing his game.”
