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Riley Sheahan scores his first NHL goal, on an assist from Tomas Tatar, in the first period Saturday.

(The Associated Press)

LOS ANGELES – Tomas Tatar decided the best way to honor his father was to play Saturday night. Then he delivered a performance that would have made his dad proud.

Tatar scored the winning goal, picked up an assist, and played with tenacity and a lot of heart, helping the Detroit Red Wings defeat the Los Angeles Kings 3-1 at the Staples Center.

Tatar’s father, Jan, died Friday in Slovakia following a long illness.

“That game and that goal was for him,” Tatar said. “I felt he was the last soul of the game. Right now it’s really hard to talk about. It’s a big loss for me, obviously.”

Tatar, 23, said his teammates helped him get through the most emotional game of his life.

“I can’t be more happy with this group of guys,” Tatar said. “They talked to me, helped me out, made me think about other stuff. I was ready to play the game.”

Tatar will play Sunday in Anaheim (8 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit), in the finale of the four-game trip, before flying home to Slovakia for the funeral. He likely will miss Thursday’s game at the New York Rangers.

Tatar said his father was battling a liver disease that spread to other organs. Tatar went home during the three-day Christmas break to see him one last time.

“I knew he was sick but I was hoping he could make it through,” Tatar said. “Unfortunately, this happened. It’s just life.

“I just wanted to work as hard as I could for my dad.”

Tatar snapped a 1-1 tie at 12:06 of the third period by firing in the rebound of a shot by Riley Sheahan. Tatar took off his glove and pointed to the heavens a couple of times in the celebration.

“Obviously, he had a heavy heart tonight,” teammate Daniel Cleary said. “You could tell in his celebration what it meant to him. It’s not an easy thing to go through; I don’t care what age you’re at. We were there for him. He’s got a good support family.”

Sheahan, Tatar’s teammate for one season with the Grand Rapids Griffins, said a better script couldn’t have been written for this game.

“I know all the guys are so happy for him,” said Sheahan, who was recalled on Friday. “He’s such a tough and gritty player. For him to get that goal was pretty amazing.”

Goaltender Jimmy Howard, who bounced back from a bad outing in San Jose with a tremendous 44-save performance, said, “The kid’s been through a lot. All our hearts go out to him. It’s really special to see what he did tonight.”

Coach Mike Babcock said he spoke to Tatar on Friday.

“The way you honor your father and your mother is by continuing to do what you should do, playing hard and doing things well,” Babcock said. “He’s going to have a different relationship with his dad, obviously, now.

“But I said to him, I lost my mom early, too, and I pray to my mom every night during the national anthem. I never ever wanted to let her down and he can do the same. His dad is here with him.”

Tatar has scored a goal in three consecutive games. He also made a terrific play to assist on Sheahan’s first NHL goal, which tied it at 1-1 at 17:11 of the first period. Tatar chased down the puck in the offensive zone, took it strong to the net and got off the shot before Sheahan fired it past goalie Jonathan Quick on the backhand while being shoved to the ice.

“He wants the puck, he’s not scared of the puck,” Babcock said. “He’s confident to make plays. He’s heavy on it, he likes it.”

Cleary, who scored an insurance goal with 2:34 remaining, said of Tatar: “He’s been a huge catalyst for us offensively, he’s been terrific. He’s a real player, he’s a puck-hound, he’s tenacious on the puck, competitive.”

His father was so ill that Tatar isn’t certain he realized his son was selected to the Slovakian Olympic team on Tuesday.

“Even when I was home, he didn’t feel the best,” Tatar said. “I was talking to him. I think that helped me a lot. I’m really happy Ken (general manager Holland) let me go home and stay connected with my dad. I was still hoping he would get better. But I was happy I could talk to him before this happened.”

Mrazek to start in Anaheim

Babcock said Petr Mrazek will start in goal Sunday in Anaheim. He said Howard hurt his hip flexor. Howard, however, said he is fine. Howard will dress as the back-up.