The Kings seem to have gotten the type of response they were looking for from Anze Kopitar. Since the Pittsburgh game, after which Kopitar’s offensive struggles were widely reported and discussed, Kopitar has turned in consecutive strong games, with a goal and an assist against Washington and an assist on the only goal against Philadelphia. Is it just a coincidence that Kopitar’s play has coincided with his new linemates, Michal Handzus and Wayne Simmonds. Asked today about Kopitar’s recent play, Terry Murray had a simpler answer…
MURRAY: “Just skating. Just moving his feet. Pace of play. (JIm Fox) and I talked about that on the air, between periods, in Pittsburgh. To me, that’s it. There’s no magic to it. He’s a talented player. When you get him playing at a higher level, of pace of play, he’s going to bring his game.”
put the biscuit in the basket!!!!
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this is a sign of a superstar player (or makings of one). when people criticize you, you shut them up. not like d-bags like Kessel who just ignore stuff and do nothing to improve.
though he may go for a stretch without a goal at times, he still plays solid two-way hockey and we’re lucky to have him locked up.
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Wayne Simmonds and Michael Handzus have really created space for Kopitar. I havent seen Kopitar this effective since Parse was playing with him and Brown for those 5 games…TM gets props for putting them together.
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KC23 Reply:
February 15th, 2011 at 9:11 pm
@puck73, Exactly. It wasn’t about the critics it was about the coaches line changes. Brown has gone into a funk and Loktionov playing LW was definately not the answer.
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takethatstatuedown Reply:
February 15th, 2011 at 10:34 pm
@KC23, Really
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Kopi is an excellent two way player. If he was allowed to spread his offensive wings a little more I think he would be a dominant player in the NHL. I give him much credit for sticking with the “team’ play concept that this coaching staff preaches. And God he’s still so young!!
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why does kopitar have to be “called out” to get this kind of effort in games…
He gets paid to be our #1 C… at 6+ mil a year, id expect 110% of it to be left on the ice every game.
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Bring Back Palffy Reply:
February 15th, 2011 at 4:48 pm
@lafan13, Absolutely agree. If he weren’t one of the better defensive centers in the league, ppl would be calling for his head.
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HappyLappy Reply:
February 15th, 2011 at 5:00 pm
@lafan13, Hey, Kopitar’s effort game in and game out is 110%. He’s trying to be a great 2-way player (and is there on defense) but where is his Martin St. Louis or equal to make him a great scorer? Sedin twins? Etc.
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DesertKing Reply:
February 15th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
@HappyLappy,
Completely agree – Ovchkin/Semin, Toews/Kane, Crosby/Malkin, and on and on. Dual threats are needed in today’s league for successful offense. If you can get those players to also play some D, then you have landed in heaven. Thank goodness Kopi plays great D and thank goodness we didn’t sign Kovalsuk.
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Rainman Reply:
February 15th, 2011 at 5:03 pm
@lafan13, I agree with you 110%. Unless Kopitar has some type of foot or leg injury, I don’t understand why he (or anyone else) can’t move his feet and skate. What’s holding him back?
One thing a professional athlete can control is their own effort. Pete Rose didn’t get the nickname “Charlie Hustle” for nothing.
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KC23 Reply:
February 15th, 2011 at 9:12 pm
@lafan13, IMHO it had nothing to do with being “called out” and everything to do with the line changes.
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leo of pico Reply:
February 16th, 2011 at 9:09 am
@KC23, that is the honest truth nothing about being called out line mates that is it
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I was at the game in Pittsburgh and i thought he played good. Met some pretty awesome Kings fan at the game as well, which was awesome. Fluery was hot and that was the bottom line for that game. He is starting to shoot the puck more, much like last year. You cant score if you don’t shoot puck. Keep shooting.
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The system and the talent surrounding Kopi does not make for a 40 goal scorer. That being said, if the Kings do acquire a great winger to set him up, then we WILL expect the goals to come in bunches.
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puck73 Reply:
February 15th, 2011 at 4:52 pm
@HappyLappy, Not a bad take.
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TheRussianKing Reply:
February 15th, 2011 at 5:03 pm
@HappyLappy, I was just thinking that. He’s not at fault, the defensive minded system and lack of a play maker/sniper on his line has crippled him. The only reason he hasn’t been as successful this season with Smyth on his line (PP) is because Smyth got even slower this season (I’m not putting him down, he still shows up every night) but lacking someone that can move and shoot is whats slowing him down. I love Simmer on the line with Kopi because he opens up space for Kopi to work, but on the other wing we have Zues who is awesome but also very slow. I love Zues but i think everyone can agree Kopi needs skilled speed on his wing (Problem is we dont have the personnel to fill that void).
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HappyLappy Reply:
February 15th, 2011 at 5:08 pm
@TheRussianKing, glad to hear someone seeing the situation and not just looking at numbers. As to his effort, the guy is on the ice 23 or 24 mins. a game. Also he’s a big guy, if he rests skating back to the d zone, it’s only when there is not a scoring threat.
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KC23 Reply:
February 15th, 2011 at 9:14 pm
@HappyLappy, Good take. He plays the cards he’s dealt with. Can’t ask for more. Last year when Williams and Smyth were hot on his line he was plenty offensive.
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van 1-0 over minn.
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You guys are all off. No one is asking Kopitar to be a “40 goal scorer”. They’re asking him to have an impact on the game. For that 20 game stretch where he wasn’t contributing points, he wasn’t contributing many chances, either. He hustles and backchecks, for sure. The issue is and always has been Kopitar “willing” his way into making a difference.
Will a higher caliber winger help his point totals? Sure. Will it make him into the consitently dominant force he can be? No guarantees there. I also disagree with the notion Kopitar is a playmaker. He is a power forward, minus the highlight reel hits. Everything comes from the use of his skating and size. He’s capable of beautiful plays because he has great skill. Just because there’s been a revolving door of serviceable parts on his left, and said players aren’t capable of burying these perfect lay-up’s I’ve heard about (but haven’t seen) that he’s a great set-up man.
IMO, Kopitar’s the one who needs to pull the trigger on whatever line he plays on.
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DesertKing Reply:
February 15th, 2011 at 5:26 pm
@xeropoint,
See last game, game winning assist pass to Doughty.
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Gary Livingston Reply:
February 15th, 2011 at 5:40 pm
@DesertKing, Just the same, how many times have we all face palmed after Kopitar back offed from driving to the net or decided to pass instead of take the shot or held on too long?
He needs to get a lot more confident and greedy with the puck. Especially, while he has no one he can count on to bury those chances he sets up.
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Gary Livingston Reply:
February 15th, 2011 at 5:40 pm
@Gary Livingston, haha, backed off would have been a better phrasing to use.
Gary Livingston Reply:
February 15th, 2011 at 5:41 pm
@Gary Livingston, This blog really could use an edit button on these comments. That entire post was riddled with grammar mistakes.
xeropoint Reply:
February 15th, 2011 at 6:09 pm
@DesertKing, One play in one game trumps season’s of proof?
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DesertKing Reply:
February 15th, 2011 at 7:16 pm
@xeropoint,
Kopi – top scorer on the Kings for what, the past 4 years.
xeropoint Reply:
February 15th, 2011 at 8:41 pm
@DesertKing,
That’s kind of besides the point. I’m talking about the kid taking his game to the next level and becoming dominant. Not being just very good and settling for that.
Bkrs-Bud Reply:
February 16th, 2011 at 12:37 am
@DesertKing, Very well done.
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HappyLappy Reply:
February 15th, 2011 at 5:32 pm
@xeropoint, good points, what I see is too many stiffs playing on the wing, or at times both wings. It’s pretty easy to defend the only threat on the line in a predictable offense.
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I thought Kopi showed the effort when he was battling against Pronger. I think that was symbolic of his turnaround the past couple of games. He was playing with more effort and passion. I was fired up watching it!!
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I think Kopi needs to study guys like Ovechkin. I’m not saying that he should emulate the body banging style (necessarily) that Ovi plays, BUT, if Kopi brings the passion and the “holy crap” factor to the other teams by willing himself and forcing his crazy ass skills on the other teams….it will be a huge for us.
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Simply said…Kopi, Simmons on LW and Brown 1st line…they’ll create, score and even bang! Zues is awesome but not as a 1st line guy. He’s the best defensive forward we have. Parse is still an unknown even when he comes back healthy. 2nd line – Williams, Lokitanov Smyth – 3rd line – Zues, Cliffie, Ritchie – 4th line Pony-Stoll-Lewis
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xeropoint Reply:
February 15th, 2011 at 9:22 pm
@kngfan004, I don’t know. The Kopitar-Brown pairing is a two-headed beast. Sometimes it’s like magic. More often than not, it’s short of spectacular. If anything has been good virtually the whole season it’s Stoll-Williams-Smyth. I wouldn’t touch that line. Agree about Zues, though. Loktionov experiment is going pretty well so far but I’m holding my breath to see how it developes.
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Kopitar is a superstar in the making. He is still young, and surrounded by questionable talent. In a year or two, I believe people will be calling him one of the top 5 or 6 all around forwards in the league.
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KC23 Reply:
February 15th, 2011 at 9:15 pm
@rick, You might be right.
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xeropoint Reply:
February 15th, 2011 at 9:23 pm
@rick, If he can elevate himself, there’s no doubt he would be one of the top players league-wide.
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r u kidding me-the #1 center on ur team being ??? on how he plays
what a shame, the guy can play, maybe not 120pts a yr–but what do king fans want, this team is not going to score 4 goals a game, but I’ll take 3. and a leader who will bring it from oct to june–thx Kopi pls give me 90pts—OK
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I think TM finally has it right. Brown is the perfect 3rd line player with the hitting, physical game. He will also chip in the occasional goal. He is not a top 3 forward. I have always wanted Kopi and Simmonds together. Simmer’s drives to the net opens up the middle for Kopi. Simmer and Koi have chemistry together. I hope he stays there the remainder of the year!
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anyone who complains about Kopitar is nuts. someone name me another center that is as good as Kopitar defensively and is a point per game player offensively with no one on his wing. he’s a +19, scoring just about a point per game and playing with a borderline 2nd line RW and 10 different LW’s. now he’s playing with a 3rd line center and 3rd line RW.
i’m not sure there are 5 players in the league that could do that. Look at Malkin. if he’s not on a line with Crosby he is less than a point per game and a minus player.
instead of wondering why he has 2 goals in 20 games maybe we should wonder how he could score 35 with 2nd line wingers.
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Bkrs-Bud Reply:
February 16th, 2011 at 12:44 am
@Dave, The young man is very good now and will only get better as he matures and gets better wingers to play on his line.
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HBFan Reply:
February 16th, 2011 at 11:41 am
@Dave, Well said. I remember when Scotty Bowman took over the Red Wings and made Stevie Y become a two way player. once he became that type of responsible two way player Detroit went on to become a perennial SC Contender. Kopi has already lost his bad habits and is younger than Stevie Y was when it happened.Get him some quality linemates and the sky is the limit
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