Tomas-Tatar-10-23-13

The Red Wings' Tomas Tatar is showing why he should have been playing regularly at the start of the season.

(The Associated Press)

WINNIPEG, Manitoba – Tomas Tatar is showing why he probably should have been a fixture in the lineup from the start of the season for a Detroit Red Wings team that needs more production.

Tatar has two goals and an assist in the past three games, helping his team win three in a row in Western Canada.

It appears the 22-year-old forward has secured a regular spot in the lineup after being scratched in eight of the first nine games. He has been strong on the puck, skating hard and generating scoring chances.

“I think (every time) he gets an opportunity to play in the top three (lines) he plays well,’’ Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg said. “The Rangers game (3-2 overtime loss on Oct. 26) he had a real good game, held onto the puck a lot, same thing (Wednesday in Vancouver). He just needs to play more, needs to be more comfortable in that role and he will score a lot of goals for us.’’

Tatar can provide offense. He had four goals and seven points in 18 games with the Red Wings last season, despite averaging only 11:22 in ice time, rarely playing on a top-two line and not seeing much power-play time.

He had 16 goals and 21 points in 24 games during the Grand Rapids Griffins’ run to the Calder Cup championship, earning AHL playoff MVP honors.

Coach Mike Babcock, with his preference for veteran players, had Mikael Samuelsson and Jordin Tootoo ahead of Tatar in the pecking order earlier this season.

“It was (frustrating); once you get in, you don’t want to get out. I’ll do everything to stay,’’ Tatar said. “I’m not anymore worried about (being scratched), I’m thinking more about the game.’’

Now it's Tatar's job to lose. He scored the winning goal against Vancouver (2-1), set up Joakim Andersson's go-ahead goal in Friday's 4-3 win at Calgary and banged home a rebound in Saturday's 5-0 win in Edmonton.

“He’s heavy on the puck, he’s smart,’’ Babcock said. “He’s not a big man (5-10, 186), but he seems to play heavy on it. He’s a puck-hound and he’s got skill in tight.

“As a team we feel we got to play way heavier in the offensive zone. We don’t spend enough time down there. Anytime you don’t spend there, the other team spends too much time in your zone. So a guy like Tats, that’s what he has to continue to do if he wants to play.’’

The Red Wings (9-4-2) will look to sweep the four-game Western Canada trip Monday in Winnipeg, in their first game there since the original Jets relocated to Phoenix in 1996.

Getting that first goal took some pressure off Tatar.

“The first goal was just a relief and you feel good about yourself,’’ Tatar said. “The team is winning and goals are easier when the team is playing well.’’

Said goaltender Jimmy Howard: “Hopefully he feels a little pressure off his back and we can see him play the way he does in practice because he’s got unbelievable hands.’’

Tatar feels he can become a better all-around player.

“You can get better everywhere -- skating, be stronger, better shot -- so when you look at these players you can still learn a lot from everybody,’’ Tatar said. “I just want to do the right things: Play good defense and offense and just don’t do anything I would regret on the ice and try to become a better player.’’