Detroit Red Wings forward Anthony Mantha sure is living right to start the 2019-20 NHL Season!
With last night’s four goal performance against the Dallas Stars, he now has totaled five goals in two games after also tallying in Saturday night’s opening win over the Nashville Predators.
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Statistically, he’s on pace to score a whopping 205 goals. Of course, he has a bit of a more realistic goal target in mind.
“Obviously, 30 is the key,” Mantha said. “I didn’t reach it last year. If it’s starting like this, let’s hope for more.”
Martha’s four goal night included a highlight-worthy drive to the net, in which he powered his way past Dallas’ defensemen like a prototypical power forward.
“If I go hard to the net like that, there’s not a lot of (defensemen) that could stop me, that are bigger than me,” Mantha said. “I need to keep going that way and bring more to the net.”
Linemate Dylan Larkin spoke about Mantha’s performance so far, and the confidence that the big forward is showing.
“He’s skating right now, he’s moving his feet,” Larkin said. “He’s flying. When he’s doing that, he’s fun to play with. He’s dynamic. When he’s hot, he can be one of the best in the world. You’re seeing that right now.”
Of course, in addition to his 6’5 frame, Mantha also has a very capable shot. Head coach Jeff Blashill attested to Mantha’s abilities, and the need for him to keep it going in order to sustain his success.
“He’s got a great shot,” Blashill said. “He needs to continue to find ways to increase what I would call the sweet spot, where he can hit that one-timer, and I think he’s doing it and working on really hitting it on a consistent basis.”
