The goal is goals

Last season, Anze Kopitar earned league-wide recognition with his blistering start, one that included three goals and five assists in his first four games. Through four games this season, Kopitar has yet to net a goal and has three assists. Kopitar is actually shooting more — 15 shots in four games this season, as opposed to nine shots through four games last season — but has yet to find the back of the net, which is perhaps part of the reason why Terry Murray dismissed, fairly quickly, the idea that he might be concerned about Kopitar’s lack of early-season production.

MURRAY: “I’m not concerned. That part will come along. He’s getting his opportunities. He’s making plays. The line is starting to show some chemistry, with a couple big goals from Brownie the other night. Those numbers will improve.”

Murray was also asked whether he noticed any differences in Kopitar’s start this season, as opposed to last season.

MURRAY: “That’s a tough thing to put a finger on, because it was such an incredible start. The chemistry was great. They had a lot of great offensive-zone time and pucks were just going in. Sometimes the puck has eyes and finds a way. I think, in the early going here, we’ve played against some pretty close-checking hockey clubs, with Vancouver twice and Calgary one time. We really did not generate a lot of offensive-zone time against those teams. We found a way to win. That chemistry, that play that we’re looking for from Kopi’s line will start to fall in place here as we play more games.”