Helene St. James

Detroit Free Press

OTTAWA – The gratification is there on both sides.

Tomas Jurco took three goals in his last 11 games into Saturday’s contest between the Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre, which the Wings ended up losing in a shoot-out, 3-2.

The personal numbers have boosted Jurco’s confidence and underscored Jeff Blashill’s belief in a young player he first coached with the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2012-13.

After slumping through his sophomore NHL season, Jurco began this one challenged by Blashill to rediscover the player who scored eight goals in 36 NHL games as a rookie in 2013-14. That’s what Jurco has accomplished over the past month.

“Those three goals have come as a result of three weeks’ worth of really good play, where I thought he was on the forecheck and he was on the track,” Blashill said. “I think what you’ve seen lately is his ability to score real good NHL-type goals.”

Jurco, 23, was on the outs when the season began. He was sent to the minors for two weeks, during which he racked up five goals and four assists in five games. That was the booster shot Jurco needed.

“To be able to score goals in this league, you have to learn how to read the game, predict what’s going to happen,” Jurco said. “I feel like I wasn’t that good at it before. When I was in G.R., I felt like puck was finding me all the time. Here, I had to work harder on that. On last few goals, the puck came right to me, so I think I’m finding those spots better now.

“When I went to G.R., it helped me a lot. I found myself scoring so much. I realized I can still do it. I feel way better now, and I hope it keeps coming.”

One of Jurco’s advantages is his size: At 6 feet 1 and 200-plus pounds, he stands out on a smaller team.

“I’ve thought that for some time, going back to when I had him in the AHL, that he can really bring a different element,” Blashill said. “If he can be that total package of physicality, great skating and skill, he’s got a chance to be a real good player in the league.”

Jurco impressed his fellow Wings when he joined them in 2013-14 and helped get them into the playoffs. After scoring three goals in 63 games last season, he again looks like he belongs.

“He’s a good player,” captain Henrik Zetterberg said. “He has everything, skates really well and has got a really good shot. I think he’s playing better here lately, and also the opportunity to play a little more has benefitted him.”

Contact Helene St. James: hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames. Check out our Red Wings Xtra app on Apple and Android!