DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings have needed others to contribute offensively, not just rely on the same three or four players for scoring.

Veterans James van Riemsdyk and Andrew Copp are delivering after slow starts.

Van Riemsdyk has 10 goals and 13 points in his past 18 games after producing just one goal and two points in his first 17 games. Copp has five goals and 14 points in his past 17 games, after collecting just one goal and nine points in 27 games.

They’ve taken some of the pressure to produce off the likes of Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond and Alex DeBrincat.

“I think I used the words ‘It’s a must’ earlier in the year and we’ve been able to get it,” coach Todd McLellan said. “So, when some of the bigger, higher-end scorers have gone dry, there’s been that support system and it’s not just coming from one individual, it’s coming from a variety of different ones in different ways. A shorthanded goal the other night (for Michael Rasmussen in Monday’s 5-3 victory at Ottawa), first of the season. So, I’ll reiterate that it’s a must that we get that and it’s also a must that the big boys keep producing as the season goes on.”

The Red Wings (25-15-4) host Vancouver (16-21-5) on Thursday (7 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network).

Van Riemsdyk is tied for second on the team in goals since Nov. 24. He’s played almost exclusively in a bottom-six capacity and with different linemates. He’s also at the net-front presence on the top power-play unit.

“Just feeling some good chemistry with different situations and my mates I’ve been playing with, and I think we’re just reading off each other well and playing smart, sound hockey and making good decisions for the most part,” van Riemsdyk said. “Especially lately I feel like we’re just really buying into that and nothing too flashy. Playing the game the right way that you can have success.”

Van Riemsdyk, following McLellan’s line shuffling on Sunday, is skating on a line with J.T. Compher and Raymond.

“I’ve learned that especially over the last few years, just switching from different teams. the more you can talk after shifts, between games during practice, I think it’s a good thing to just always have that constant dialogue,” van Riemsdyk said. “What were you seeing on this? What were you thinking on this?”

McLellan called van Riemsdyk “a stabilizing factor” on a line.

“May not be the fastest guy, but he knows who he is and what he does,” McLellan said. “And he’s been there so many times — on the boards vs. pressure back, checking, good reads, what’s going to happen. So, it’s not difficult to find him linemates. But we always look at what he might complement the best or vice versa.”

Copp has flourished centering a line with DeBrincat and Patrick Kane, the one unit McLellan hasn’t separated.

“I think Copper’s confidence is back to a level where it needs to be,” McLellan said. “I think he’s put himself in a situation where he’s using his legs more during the game and he’s finding ways to be around the net more than he was maybe earlier in the season. And as that happens and you find a way to score a goal every now and then, you start to feel good about yourself, and it’s probably the best he’s felt all year.

“We have tried him on the wing during the year. Maybe that didn’t help him. Sometimes we get in the way of players’ confidence or development, and this could be a case of that.”