Grand Rapids Griffins vs Milwaukee Admirals, April 8, 2015

Anthony Mantha picked up a goal and assist Wednesday for the second consecutive game for the Grand Rapids Griffins.

(Cory Morse | MLive.com)

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Anthony Mantha's up and down first season as a pro may be on the upswing at the right time for the Grand Rapids Griffins.

The touted first pick of the Red Wings in 2013 (20th overall) scored on a power play and added a nice assist in the Griffins 6-2 win Wednesday against Milwaukee.

The two-point game came after he had a goal and assist at Toronto on Saturday. The back-to-back games with a goal ended a 10-game drought that dated back to March 7.

But the 6-foot-4, 214-pound left wing has liked the way he has played of late.

"I'm playing really good compared to the beginning of the season," Mantha said. "And I want to step up even more for the playoffs and that's what I'm trying to do at the end of the season here."

Mantha opened the scoring five minutes in when he blasted a shot just above the right circle that went over the left shoulder of Magnus Hellberg.

With seven minutes left in the second, Mantha stole the puck from defenseman Johan Alm behind the net and neatly shoveled a passed in front on the net, directly to Andreas Athanasiou to make it 3-1.

Mantha has had his moments in 60 games this season after a late start with a fractured right tibia. After 57 goals in 57 games last season in the QMJHL, he hasn't scored anywhere close to that as a pro with 15 goals and 32 points. He has a rating of plus-9.

"Points and goals lead to confidence for offensive players," coach Jeff Blashill said. "But from where I sit, I don't necessarily judge him on that. That's part of it. But, how does he skate with the puck? How does he skate without the puck? He is creating chances for and not creating chances against?

So, a quick evaluation?

"He's gotten way better," Blashill added. "The past three weeks he has consistently played at a real good level."

Mantha is careful not to judge himself just on goals, even though he knows that has been his forte.

"I think it is being overall on the plus side of my game," Mantha said. "Getting good defensively and making the little details that me and Blash have gone over and over since the start of the year. And, obviously, the goals and points are just a plus right now."

In evaluating his season, Mantha said: "Right now, it is above. I'm playing really good and want to keep going that way, for sure."

Being reunited on a line with Athanasiou has helped, Mantha said of the fellow first-year pro. The two are paired with captain Jeff Hoggan. Mantha was previously on a line with Andy Miele.

"He is such a good skater," Mantha said of Athanasiou. "Just get it near his stick and he's gone."

"We feed off each other pretty well," Athanasiou said. "He's a little bit deceptive with how big he is, but he has explosive speed and one of the best sticks in the league as you saw when he shoveled that puck out to me. I know where he is and he knows where I am on the ice."

Grand Rapids Griffins vs Milwaukee Admirals, April 8, 2015 48 Gallery: Grand Rapids Griffins vs Milwaukee Admirals, April 8, 2015

Pete Wallner covers sports for MLive/Grand Rapids Press. Email him at pwallner@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.