Kopitar's `bounce-back'

It’s a measure of how far Anze Kopitar has come that his game on Monday was referred to as a “bounce-back game.” Kopitar had gone without a point in the previous two games, then totaled one goal and two assists. Last season, for instance, Kopitar had nine different stretches in which he didn’t record a point in at least two consecutive games, but obviously things are different this season.

Kopitar is back atop the league scoring list, with 24 points, one ahead of Alexander Ovechkin, who plays at Florida tomorrow. Terry Murray talked today about Kopitar’s ability to bounce back from tough games…

MURRAY: “Very happy to see that. When players put themselves into positions of leading the way in different categories, there’s a great awareness by them. They’re watching it. They want to stay on top. They want to be excellent at that part of the game that they’re recognized for. Kopi bounced back with a big game, and it was critical that he did that. That’s one of those games that you’re looking for your best players to lead the way, and the line really stepped up. Ryan Smyth got a couple. Willy got a big goal for us. That is the kind of leadership that we need, from Kopi in particular and from that line.”