DETROIT – Henrik Zetterberg is finding the best way to lead during his first year as captain of the Detroit Red Wings is to set the pace on the ice.

Zetterberg is off to a fast start. He has points in 10-of-12 games, including five multiple-point games, helping his team to a 7-4-1 start one-quarter of the way through the season.

“Hank has been huge for us,'' defenseman Niklas Kronwall said. “Right now, he may be as good as I've seen him, the stuff he does out there, all the little things right. He's outworking everybody. Him and Pav (Datsyuk) are just tremendous.''

Zetterberg is third in the NHL with 18 points, behind Buffalo's Thomas Vanek (23) and Chicago's Patrick Kane (20). Zetterberg is tied for second in assists (13) with Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin, behind Martin St. Louis of Tampa Bay (14).

“I just go out and play, and the puck's been bouncing my way,'' Zetterberg said. “(Linemates Damien Brunner and Johan Franzen) have done a good job, and the power play has been better the last couple of games.

“So you just got to keep going. I know it won't last forever. You will have slumps when you're not scoring and getting points. You better be happy when they're coming.''

His torrid start is in stark contrast to 2011-12, when he picked up only five points (three goals, two assists) in his first 12 games. His offensive struggles continued through 52 games, when he had just 35 points (nine goals, 26 assists). He finished strong, however, with 34 points (13 goals, 21 assists) in his final 30 games and led the team with 69 points.

“He's one of those guys that just wants to improve every day,'' Kronwall said. “I think so far this year he's been one of the best in the league.''

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said it was important for the team's best players, Zetterberg and Datsyuk, to be playing in Europe during the lockout. When the NHL resumed, Detroit's stars were in midseason form, and players around them have benefited.

“Some guys say they got freshened up (with time off), but you never get in shape,'' Babcock said. “It’s going to take some time to find your game if you’re one of those guys. These guys have found their game quicker.

“(Zetterberg) has been awesome and so has Pav. You hope to get those guys going and everyone will follow. It’s great to be talented, but it’s another thing to also be real competitive and talented, and that’s what they are.''

This is not Zetterberg's best start. In 2007-08, he set the franchise record for longest points streak at the start of a season at 17 games. He had 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists) during that stretch.

Even before Zetterberg officially was named captain, Red Wings forward Damien Brunner saw his leadership ability when they were linemates for EV Zug in Switzerland during the lockout.

“A real good leader,'' Brunner said. “He’s not too vocal. When he says something he has a point. There are some guys who want to do too much and they talk too much. But Henrik knows when he needs to talk, and something smart comes out.”

Could Zetterberg's quick start be related to having the “C'' on his jersey? Kronwall hasn't noticed any difference in Zetterberg's leadership approach after becoming captain.

“I think he's been a leader ever since he got here,'' Kronwall said. “He's just Hank. Still doing the right things, still working hard every day, in practice, games, doesn't matter. Representing the Red Wings perfectly. We couldn't have a better captain.''