With his two-point game last night, Anze Kopitar moved into a tie for third in the NHL in points, with 23, two behind Phil Kessel and one behind Thomas Vanek. Yet how many times does one, when listening/watching/reading NHL pundits, hear Kopitar’s name mentioned among the NHL’s elite? Part of that is that Kopitar has yet to “prove it’’ for a full season. He’s had long stretches of brilliant play but has yet to finish a season with more than 81 points. Games like last night’s though, will go a long way toward burnishing Kopitar’s reputation. With his team having coughed up a two-goal, third-period lead, Kopitar did some outstanding work around the Anaheim net to corral his own rebound and beat Dan Ellis for the game-winning goal with three minutes left. That, as Terry Murray pointed out, is the type of play that sets apart “elite’’ players.
MURRAY: “That’s the only way you can become a great player, is to respond at a critical time, a critical moment, and do the big stuff. It’s how teams break through to the next level. You don’t always have a game where you’re going to play well. You might just go out and be average on any given night, but when the opportunity is there at the end of the day, to make a play and make a difference and you win, that is what it’s all about. Those players who can step up and do that become great players. They get recognized.’’
Murray was also quick to credit the teammates who contributed to Kopitar’s goal, most notably Rob Scuderi and Justin Williams.
MURRAY: “Absolutely. The look, it takes all five to get the job done. I complement Scuds because he’s not a player who carries the puck a lot. He’s not an offensive-minded guy, but he takes great pride in his checking game and he’s one of the better defensemen in the league on that side of the game. So in a 3-3 situation, for him to get that involved on the offensive side of the blue line, it’s a brave move. I want to recognize it. It made the difference and it created the opportunity.’’
AK is a stud. Soon all will take notice.
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Mark Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 7:05 pm
@RobSD, Worth 3 times Doughty!
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luc20rules Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 8:24 pm
@RobSD, He will need to have those types of games in afternoon games, or on the road in the east to get National Recognition. NHL on the Fly doesn’t use any highlights in their broadcast after 9:50pm Eastern Time.
Most Kings home games begin at 10:30pm Eastern Time.
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King Cobra Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 5:46 am
@luc20rules, NHL On The Fly at least shows stuff from Kings games. Versus NHL Overtime show treats the Kings games and games in west like an afterthought. It is a total joke how the bias Hockey media in the east treats us in the west! They are to dam lazy to update the shows to include our amazing team that sells out every night and represents all of southern California. Last I checked there were still a few people in So Cal.
Everyone should complain to the NHL and NBC about this….
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Hall of Fame hoping!
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Duckbasher Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 9:37 pm
@Lake Forest, No offense, but all I really care about is seeing Kopi’s Jersey hangs at Staples center… right next to the Stanley Cup banner he wins for us. GO KOPI… GO KINGS!
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ziggyfan Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 7:52 am
@Duckbasher, YES and YES. Kopitar, a King forever!!
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kopitar without a doubt is our best player.
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Mikefromearth Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 8:55 pm
@nofreight,
I don’t think any of us would question that
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Shakes Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 3:44 am
@nofreight,
Everytime I think of Kopi I have a vision of him walking around in his Bart Simpson slippers
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ziggyfan Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 7:53 am
@Shakes, I know. I thought that video was hilarious.
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I like the KopiSTAR nick name. He is the man. I’m hoping that last night was a turning point for Kopitar for bringing it up to another level during critical times. That has been something that was missing with Kopitar, but I think we’re seeing him moving to that elite level this year.
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C-Note20 Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 4:52 pm
@KC23, Missing from Kopi’s game ?! You mean like the game 2 years ago against Dallas where we were down 5-0 and we came back and won in overtime with Kopi scoring the tying goal and OT winner !!!
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Osaka Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 4:58 pm
@C-Note20, Yes there is something missing, didn’t he go something like 10 straight games last year without a goal? He is a great talent, no doubt, but he needs to be more consistent to be considered elite.
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Pesus Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 5:16 pm
@Osaka,
I put more blame on those droughts on our system. And I think he could lead the league in scoring if he wasnt ask to do so much in is own zone. I dont see many other number 1 centers spending so much energy in their own zones.I predicted a big year for kopi due to the addition of Richards, another great 2-way center to take away some of defensive responsibility. Predict is a strong word, guessing and hope is more like it.
Osaka Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 5:26 pm
@Pesus, But he was leading the league in scoring early on last year, does the system get credit for that? I agree adding Richards is huge, very hard to score when your the only target for the other team, but he scored before and after his slump so it isn’t the system. If it was the system the numbers would be consistently low. Every year he had periods of not scoring, not just last season. He can be very hot and very cold as a scorer, just needs to make the scoring droughts shorter.
dhow Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 6:36 pm
@Osaka, every player has droughts like that. Find me a ‘elite’ player in the NHL who has a point in every game then we can talk… I’ll wait
Duckbasher Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 9:43 pm
@Osaka, If Kopi played for a coach/team that played a more wide open system, (and make him play defense instead of forward) he’d score 50 without a doubt.
Junkydare Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 5:00 pm
@C-Note20, it was actually 4-0
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C-Note20 Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 5:04 pm
@Junkydare, LOL you are correct !!
@Osaka, I agree but that is not what KC23 was stating nor what I was referring too.
Helvetica Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 6:14 pm
@C-Note20, I actually do agree that Kopi is starting to reach elite status, but one game, 2 years ago, doesn’t exactly make your point.
The guy is very good, nobody is debating that, but its plane to see that he does take stretches off at times (at least in the past) and he isn’t “known” for being clutch. If he can be more consistent, and start getting involved more frequently in those GW goals/plays, start dictating pace and momentum for our team, THEN he’s elite. Until then, he’s just very good.
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C-Note20 Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 11:30 pm
@Helvetica, I don’t think he takes games off he is always a force on the ice, now he might not score but he is playing defense. If you really watch the games when he does not score it has more to do with the rest of the team not generating offense causing the opposition to key in on Kopi.
C-Note20 Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 11:32 pm
@Helvetica, And the games two years ago is just one example and it does illustrate my point as Kopi took over and won the game for us. No Kopi that game no win plain and simple.
Thisistheyear Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 1:52 am
@Helvetica, Last year, he had 3 GW in a row. This has not been mentioned anywhere. Except on this blog.
Kingstane9 Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 9:14 am
@Helvetica, Some of you guys just won’t admit it or sth like that. He wouldn’t be an all-star Rookie at first place and an all-star player since, if he isn’t an elite player. Ok maybe he missed one, but still. Being the best scorer/player (by far) on any NHL team consistently for years, also wouldn’t be the leading scorer of the league for a period of time last year and second-third this year. That’s an elite to me. Starting to,hehe, lol, bla bla, say all you want…We’re just seeing him improving even more and with the team, I’d say. Ha’s just very good just for you, I guess.
Helvetica Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
@Helvetica, His game is very well rounded no doubt. We are watching him become and elite player. I just think he has a couple more steps to take. Last season he started off on a tear as well, leading the league in points i believe, but then he fell into a couple of stretches where he just wasnt putting up points. Maybe it was a team issue. I’d just like to see him step up more and steal a game for us even when we dont necessarily deserve it. He’s getting there, but he’s not quite as consistent as id like to see him. Were arguing over minutia though so its not like im saying hes just average or something.
I was yelling at Kopi earlier when Anaheim misplayed the puck and it just rolled past Kopi’s feet. Actually it happened the night before also. Great goal Kopi.
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I am not joking: The girl on NHL on the FLY did not know how to pronounce Kopitar. They are the joke for being clueless.
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prosmar Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 8:30 pm
@LA_1968, so you know how to pronounce Kopitar?
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Mikefromearth Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 8:58 pm
@prosmar,
Just saying.. is he paid to appear on television and discuss hockey?
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LF13 Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 10:40 pm
@Mikefromearth, I haven’t heard anyone in North America pronounce his name right so a little mistake or a huge mistake I don’t really care. But you guys are getting closer and closer and I believe that until his Hall of Fame induction you will know how to say Anže Kopitar the right way;D
Insightful and articulate quote by Murray.
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If I remember correctly, he LED the NHL in scoring early on last season then really cooled off. Last year he finished 15th with 73 points, the year before 17th with 81 points. Ultimately, it’s about getting into the top 10 in points at the end of the season to be considered elite. He’s got the ability. It’s all about being consistent.
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Osaka Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 5:01 pm
@wavesinair, Exactly.
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LA_1968 Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 5:01 pm
@wavesinair, With a little more depth this year than before he should have better numbers. Plus last year’s season was cut short. That still turns my stomach btw.
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variable Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 5:18 pm
@wavesinair,
i agree…
he was playing like this last year and then his point production tailed off considerably around mid-january…he picked it up about a month later, but then got hurt in the midst of a one point in six games stretch…
how-ev-a…
he’s playing as good as anyone else in the league right now…so he’s definitely warranting the compliment….
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Osaka Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 5:37 pm
@variable, I really had questions on how strong he would play coming back from the injury.
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variable Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 5:43 pm
@Osaka,
i think we all did – you had to be concerned…
but he quickly vanquished those feelings, didn’t he…(?!)
Mikefromearth Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 9:02 pm
@Variable
Hell yes he did. I agree, we were all concerned, but Kopitar is the man. He’s even improved his game this year. Something about that guy is like a mysterious hockey god, testing the world and waiting to reveal his true self.
JD Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 9:58 pm
@variable, not a ducks fan in any way, but if kopitar played with perry and ryan, he woiuld lead the league in scoring
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kings4queens Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 2:11 am
@JD,
Not if they were shooting on Quick.
KC23 Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 8:33 am
@wavesinair, You’re off by a year, but yeah Kopitar, Smyth and Williams were the best line in the league for October and November of 2009.
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Off topic.
Bobby Ryan and Drew Doughty go see the movie Twilight together?!?! WTF. Not bad Drew is hanging with Ryan, I like the guy, but why are grown men going to see Twilight?!?!
Nice review by Ryan though:
“I couldn’t believe it,” says Ryan. “In the opening scene, I’m sitting next to [Los Angeles Kings defenseman] Drew Doughty(notes) and this kid comes running out of his house throws it off and starts running into the woods. When did it become uncool to be a dude anymore? I know there’s a market for it … but what happened to the strong silent guy who kicks people’s asses when they needed to?”
Bobby I know the feeling “I couldn’t believe it….” You and Drew going to see a tweenie chick flick! “When did it become uncool to be a dude anymore?” Exactly Ryan and Doughty, when?
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zulov Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 5:08 pm
@Osaka, WTF? Why did Drew and Bobby go on a date?
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Lake Forest Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 5:10 pm
@Osaka, i have to see this to believe it. Link me! please
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Osaka Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 5:30 pm
@Lake Forest,http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/In-which-Bobby-Ryan-criticizes-Taylor-Lautner-8?urn=nhl-wp17725
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AliCali Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 5:11 pm
@Osaka, Actually, several Kings were there (until they walked out). Click on my name for the link to a story about it. Be sure to read near the bottom to see several Kings who were there.
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Osaka Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 5:35 pm
@AliCali, Ryan is not bad at giving a review eh.
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LittleRhody Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 5:12 pm
@Osaka, I posted this back a few days ago. According to Jonathan Quicks twitter account, Heading to the #twilightbreakingdawnpremiere with @KWesty19 @MRichie18 @DustinBrown23 #lewey #Dewey #jobern @b_ryan9
14 Nov »
(That’s Quick, Westy, Mike Richards, Brown, Lewis, Drew, Bernier, and Bobby Ryan)
At least westy claimed his wife was making him go, lol
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LA_1968 Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 5:21 pm
@LittleRhody, At least it was a premier.
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Osaka Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 5:31 pm
@LA_1968, At least most of the Kings’ players left early.
goldielocks Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 5:53 pm
@LittleRhody,
Funny. It turned out to be my sighting of Drew in the streaming video was real after all. I thought the guy on the screen looks like Doughty but never actually believed it cause he was wearing a gray monkey suit. I was like ‘Why in the world Drew wears a suit for the movie premire? That must be a different guy.’ But as I watched the Kings vision, he was wearing a suit I saw … then who was the girl he was talking to?
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goldielocks Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 6:46 pm
@LittleRhody,
Williams was there, too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPJU9NJfgRI&feature=player_embedded
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Pesus Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 5:20 pm
@Osaka,
I read this too, if I remember correctly it was the premiere, not just going to the movies. You know like with all the hollywood hotshots.
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goldielocks Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 6:20 pm
@Osaka,
I think Bobby Ryan is missing a point of not wearing a shirt. When Jacob transform into warewolf his cloths will be torn in pieces because of diffrence of sizes. So members of his pack never wear shirts either. I know in Taylor Lautner’s case it’s more than that. It’s a showing off stuff involved but the movie is just an entertainment so entertaining people is his job. I can’t deny he’s overdoing it though.
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AK-11 is an assault weapon!
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Kopitar IS trending toward becoming the Go-to-guy in critical momenta, his Playoff game 2 OT winner is just one of many more to come, and last night’s game is just as re-assuring.
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Naturallawyer Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 10:21 pm
@Junkydare, gotta think one or two of those OT games vs the Sharks might have gone differently with Kopi on the ice.
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KC23 Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 8:37 am
@Junkydare, He had an OT winner in the playoffs the year before as well against Vancouver.
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KC23 Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 8:38 am
@KC23, Oh wait, he didn’t play against SJ, you missed it by a year.
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Kopi just plays bigger this year. I’m sure its part of maturing in the league, but his play didn’t always match up to his 6’3″ size. He is really developing a presence on the ice that you just sense when he is out there.
Granted some of the “elite” players get there from day one at 20 or 21 years old, but he is just 24, so its great to see him continue to develop.
Love to see him reach that elite level, then maybe the hockey world will figure out how to pronounce his name.
Go Kings!
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prosmar Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 8:32 pm
@McCheese, so you actually know how to pronoucne his name?
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Thisistheyear Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 2:04 am
@prosmar, Spell letter Ž.
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PRMan Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 4:16 am
We’re in America. Our keyboards can’t type that stuff.
prosmar Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 6:56 am
@McCheese, the real pronunciation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3UaMA5AfqM
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KC23 Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 8:41 am
@prosmar, Oh my. I don’t want to pronounce his name correctly if that’s it.
They pronouced it Koow-pee-tar
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Off topic, I’ve watched last night’s game two more times and if anybody other than Quick was in net, the score would’nt have favored us IMHO. He made some INSANE stops and I know we all (myself included) have a habit of taking that for granted. Quick is on fire right now.
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variable Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
@jess,
i thought quick was outstanding last night, too…
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KC23 Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 5:23 pm
@jess, That one stop on Perry was unreal. How Quick got there in perfect position and square to him is beyond me. Quick definately lives up to his name. What has impressed me most about Quick this year has been his improvement of moving the puck himself to the right man and doing it quickly. I also have been amazed by the lack of soft goals allowed. Nearly every goalie lets in a softy every now and then, but Quick’s position has just been steller.
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jess Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 5:36 pm
@KC23,
Quickie shut the door so many times @ point blank range, it needs new hinges!
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kings4queens Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 2:20 am
@jess,
Like Bobby Ryan’s first and second point blank shots. If you look at the tape, he couldn’t believe that he didn’t score.
Bama Kings Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 6:59 pm
@jess, We take him for granted. I’m so over JB being our real number one. People are outside their ever-loving-minds with that noise.
Quick won us the game last night and if we win a cup, as much as I love Kopi, it will be on Quicks back.
This is a fan base that has forgotten what life was like five years ago, when a shot from the blue-line scared the crap out of us.
Quick is our number one and while I’m not crazy about TM’s player coaching at times, this move to play him back-to-back was a signal: Bernier is our back-up on this club, Quick is our starter.
Look for Bernier to be moved by next years deadline.
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KC23 Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 8:48 am
@Bama Kings, There has NEVER been a question about Quick being our number one. Just some wild off the wall predictions from a few bloggers, some of which should know better.
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kopi juust plain out good thats all nothing less
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Kopi has truly benefitted from both Gagne and Richards presence. He’s no longer having to carry the whole load.
Along with Simon and Williams, Kopi’s line has been the most consistent so far. Hope Lokti sticks around to continue learning from Richards! Notice the chemistry that’s already developed with those two.
GKG!
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Still hard to believe he is 24…. He should have many “elite” years in front of him.
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variable Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 5:28 pm
@K.M. Cost,
i agree…
he’s going to be great for a long time…we are not even at his prime years yet…
he’s a special player…(!)
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It won’t be long, but Richards is going to be more important than Kopi.
Richards is the most intelligent player in the team.
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jess Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 5:41 pm
@Gustavo,
Don’t know about being more important than Kopi. A machine needs cogs of different sizes to acheive the purpose, -but no one can deny that Richards is a leader on the ice with a monster hockey IQ, and the ability to back it up with SIK skills.
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prosmar Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 8:33 pm
@Gustavo, Richards is great but I still think Kopi is more important than Richards for the Kings.
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Duckbasher Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 9:56 pm
@prosmar, Can we agree that we are SOOOO lucky to have both on our team? The more I see Mike Richards out there, the more I can’t believe that Philly let this guy get away.
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King Cobra Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 5:52 am
@Gustavo, They both are important. Not one more than the other……..
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i like to compare him to vinny lecavalier…
lecavalier started to get consideration at the same age…and really raised his game at age 25…(hard to believe vinny is 31 and already nearing his 1000th game…(!))…kopi has a pretty good shot at exceeding vinny’s comparative numbers, too….
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Kopitar really came through last night and his response to a serious injury from last season has been amazing. We as fans are very lucky to have him in a Kings Jersey and I cant wait to watch him hoist the cup over his head at Staples center
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The Slovenian Slasher!
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This is kopi’s year to really show the league what he is all about. Kings finally have a supporting cast to help him along.
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I was at the game last night…and I have to say…it was one of the most exciting games I’ve been to in years…..Nothing like a good Ducks Kings game to get the fans going nuts!
Kopitar is an elite player and will continue to be…not too many holes in his game!
Mike Richards is just amazing! Can’t believe he’s here with Kings…awesome!
And last…Quickie is playing out of his mind….he’s making tough stops on outstanding players like Perry look easy….
Go Kings!!!!!!
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Kopi doesn’t look elite he IS elite…
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Eric Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 7:27 pm
@AM, Indeed.
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kingkrazy Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 8:52 am
@Eric, agreed. It takes hard work to come off an injury and play like Kopi does.
GKG!!!
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What’s the deal with giving Andrew Cogliano the first star of the game over Kopitar?
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KC23 Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 8:50 am
@NOT IMPRESSED, One word … and that is the HAY … word.
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Kingstane9 Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 9:42 am
@NOT IMPRESSED, yes, but i can live with that, how about Selanne(-2) over Richards, both 2 goals.
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Kopi will be considered elite once the kings make it to the finals
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I have a Question with Anze that he can beat the Red Wings because the Red Wings are now a struggling games so far and can Anze will keep in pace to keep win more games and Anze will perform to get more points and the LA Kings are now is 1st place of the Division will beat the Red Wings tomorrow to get more points
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Duckbasher Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 9:58 pm
@Adam M, Let’s have some wings for lunch tomorrow.
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These past 2 seasons Kopitar has controlled the play as well as anyone in the league. Every shift he can dictate the style of play in the offensive zone as well as disrupt the play in the defensive zone. The guys is an elite player. Its those dry spells that keep him out of the spotlight. It shouldnt matter, he still can dominate without scoring. Its just a fact, even if you dominate offesivly and defesivly you wont get the mention ’till you get a handfull of 90-100 point seasons.
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Kopitar IS an elite player.
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Kopi doesn’t look elite he Is, has been and always will be elite. End of story…….
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Kopitar <3
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I have a man crush on Kopi. I’m so glad he is a King. GKG!
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Kopitar is one of the top five centers in the league,but since most of the NHL media is on the East Coast and the Kings haven’t advanced deep into the playoffs yet,they ignore him most of the time.
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