The Kings elected to have an off-ice practice today instead of a skate, but Anze Kopitar talked to reporters and said he was fine after last night’s huge hit from Dallas’ Brenden Morrow, which took him out of the game. “I’m feeling good this morning,” Kopitar said. “I don’t have any issues.” Kopitar said he spent time in the league-mandated “quiet room” for concussion evaluation but said “I don’t see a reason why” he couldn’t play tomorrow. Darryl Sutter echoed that sentiment. Much more to come, including Mike Richards’ thoughts on perceived mixed messages from the league…
LATEST NEWS- Get To Know: Keaton Ellerby June 19, 2013
- Kings Re-Sign Forward Brandon Kozun June 19, 2013
- The Kings And Slava Voynov Agree To Terms On a New Six-Year Contract June 18, 2013
- Best pick at No. 13: Dustin Brown, Kings June 18, 2013
- Kings Vision Earns Three Telly Awards June 17, 2013
- 25th Annual Dave Taylor/Jim Fox Golf Classic June 11, 2013
- Sutter proud of Kings' accomplishments June 11, 2013
- WATCH: Post-Season Interviews June 10, 2013
- Regehr undergoes elbow surgery June 10, 2013
- Kings hope to keep majority of team intact June 10, 2013
RULES FOR BLOG COMMENTING
- No profanity, slurs or other offensive language. Replacing letters with symbols does not turn expletives into non-expletives.
- Personal attacks against other blog commenters, and/or blatant attempts to antagonize other commenters, are not tolerated. Respectful disagreement is encouraged. Posts that continually express the same singular opinion will be deleted.
- Comments that incite political, religious or similar debates will be deleted.
- Please do not discuss, or post links to, websites that illegally stream NHL games.
- Posting under multiple user names is not allowed. Do not type in all caps. All violations are subject to comment deletion and/or banning of commenters, per the discretion of the blog administrator.
SOCIAL MEDIA
LA Kings Insider LA Kings Official
Brains of Steel!!
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:02 am
@DEH, LMAO!!! that is funny, but on a serious not, I’m glad he was able to take a clean hockey hit and be ok the next day!!
Go get em Kopi, this time keep your head up man!
[Reply]
adanac Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:04 am
@DEH, And the heart of a lion!!
[Reply]
Phew!
[Reply]
mrbrett7 Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 10:55 am
@FKA PakiFro, +1
[Reply]
Slovenian Brain of Steel. Can’t scramble his eggs!
[Reply]
Anze Kopitar IS GOD Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:39 am
@Kings4life,
Does anyone remember what do Slovenians have in common?
I don’t know if anyone remembers the last winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, when Slovenian cross-skier Petra Majdic fell out into a hole, she broked her ribs but yet, she contiouned and achieved 3rd place in that Sprint. Kopi, as you’ve mentiond has a brain of steel!!
GKG,
Greetings 2 all from Slovenia!
[Reply]
Kingstane9 Reply:
January 14th, 2012 at 1:59 am
@Anze Kopitar IS GOD, hey there, she’s my hero no doubt. Not to mention the injury happened during warm-ups, so she had be at least second through all three races to get to the finals, so quals and three elimination races, to earn the medal. I think its save to say she’s/was the only one capable of that and that she would probably win that sprint with ease without injury. She also got that Fox award in Van… Well I’ve never had any bone fractures and I know i went through a lot of sports ex. hockey and situations (stupid too hehe) in my life. Maybe I’m just lucky…
Greetings from Slovenia!
[Reply]
Richards did the right thing to defend Kopitar, let’s put it to a rest now. Kings had their chances to win that game in regulation and in OT but didn’t. Very glad that Kopitar is ok and ready to play tomorow. Big relief!
[Reply]
Seriously, it’s sort of crappy to tack on a 2 minute penalty for wearing a visor. The burden is on the other player to wear a visor if he thinks he is at a disadvantage, not penalize a guy for trying to minimize his chances of injury in a violent dangerous sport. That’s gd ridiculous…
[Reply]
lakings1420 Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 10:58 am
@bringbackbutchgoring, +1
[Reply]
Mike Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:12 am
@bringbackbutchgoring, +1
[Reply]
Deadendcruiser Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:28 am
@bringbackbutchgoring,
I second that statement. In a back n forth game like that, after numerous non calls……they are gonna call the “visor” penalty……..BS!!!
[Reply]
Mik3ysfv Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 1:23 pm
@bringbackbutchgoring, this makes me think of the Sean Avery comment about guys running around in visors and being soft but starting fights, then kicking rocks the hell ut of danger. But that surely is not Mike Richards. And dont call me surely.
[Reply]
Praise the Lord!!!
[Reply]
THANK YOU JESSSSSSSUSSSSSSSSSS
[Reply]
Best news I’ve heard all day! I thought concussion for sure last night. Now tonight just seems like a point stolen by the refs, not the disaster I was thinking it was.
[Reply]
Good to hear. Big road trip this weekend so it’s great news he won’t miss any action. Ideally the Kings should aim for a sweep this road trip or at least 2-1, obviously.
[Reply]
Excellent news. With the time remaining in the game it would have been really extraordinary for Kopi to come back last night. Better that they took the time to make sure he was okay. I kept thinking that it would have been awesome for him to come back in the shootout and win the game.
[Reply]
Lake Forest Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:11 am
@AZ King, we have been spoiled by him and his toughness. Didnt he do something similar when he got stitches to his mouth earlier this year?
[Reply]
AZ King Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:18 am
@Lake Forest,
You are correct. He came back with that Joker grin.
[Reply]
The Batman Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:18 am
@Lake Forest, was last year the first game against Vancouver
[Reply]
now let’s talk about lousy officiating
[Reply]
GoKingsGo818 Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:05 am
@LGK, I still don’t understand the Doughty misconduct penalty and the no call on Souray for jumping on Williams while he was down.
[Reply]
mrbrett7 Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:24 am
@GoKingsGo818, I didn’t understand just about every penalty called last night. Actually, the only penalty they got right was the 4, 5 and 10 to Rickards, at least based on how the rules are written.
I don’t really like the visor fight thing, but, if it’s there, it’s there.
[Reply]
I don’t understand why OT goal was disallowed.
[Reply]
Kingsfan602 Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:02 am
@LGK, the goalie had the puck covered with his glove and I think the ref had blown the whistle or was bout to. Something of that nature I guess. But the refs did make some horrible calls. And that no call on the trip on DD that let to a Dallas goal was a low blow for us also.
[Reply]
GkingsG99 Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:17 am
@Kingsfan602, Whether he thought he got tripped up or not Doughty should have never sat on the ice, after the fact, watching the play away from him. I was there and watched him lay there and bitch. No excuses, if the ref didn’t call it then, he’s not going to call it later, get up and play!
[Reply]
mrbrett7 Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:25 am
@GkingsG99, Getting up or not (I agree with you), at that point, he was so far out of the play it wouldn’t have mattered.
AZ King Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:04 am
@LGK,
Most likely because the ref felt that Doughty was interfering with the goalie. Doughty did get called for a penalty, so it doesn’t seem that the ref though he was pushed in by Souray. Another reason could have been because he intended to blow the whistle before the puck crossed the goal line.
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:05 am
@AZ King,
I intended for Fraser to score that goal but Toronto refused to recognize it.
[Reply]
AZ King Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:09 am
@DesertKing,
Those are the breaks….
IceGuy Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:25 am
@AZ King,
LaRue had the whistle in his mouth from the moment Souray pushed Doughty down into the goalie. He simply has to BLOW.
He never signaled a penalty.
He didn’t BLOW the whistle until after the puck crossed the line.
Saying he INTENDED to blow the whistle, with the damn thing in his mouth, and having that carrying some kind of legal weight, is like saying Kopi INTENDED to lift the puck over Lethinen’s (sp) glove, so a goal should be awarded. “Do or do not. There is not try.”
I siad it before, the bad officiating was not against the KINGS, it was bad for the WHOLE GAME.
[Reply]
purple and gold Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:05 am
@LGK, Whistle was blown before it was in the net. No getting around that no matter how you look at it.
[Reply]
JWRocks! Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:06 am
@LGK, as much as i hate it, the whistle was blown before the puck went in, and the puck was under the goalies glove when the whistle was blown. Unfortunate but in this rare case, the ref got it right. I can’t say the same about the rest of the game!
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:08 am
@LGK, It seems to be a mystery. The refs gave the arm signal it was a goal, then for some reason disallowed it. That was some of the worst officiating in the 3rd period and overtime combined that I have ever seen.
[Reply]
LGK Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:23 am
@puck73, thats what I thought too
[Reply]
AWESOME! I can work now…haha
[Reply]
Glad to hear you are doing good Kopi. We can’t afford to lose you. Specially when you are starting to catch fire again. Rest up and let’s get a huge Win tomorrow for our coach. Go Kings Go!
[Reply]
Thanks to this news, Friday the 13th is my new lucky day!
[Reply]
That’s good news. Kopi is a tough kid!! That hit looked worse than it is….XX fingers crossed XX.
[Reply]
Kopi’s the man!! Remember last season when he took the high stick in the face, got stitched up to look like the Joker, then was back on the ice for the next period? This guy has heart and soul.
[Reply]
DEH Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:05 am
@DesertKing, don’t forget the part were he scored the game winner in the shootout!
[Reply]
Our penalty kill is so good that we are the only ones that score… and apparently on both sides now. jokes aside I like what I saw from the pp and offense, starting to shake off that shot mentality crap, to quote DS, “we don’t have a shooting problem.” It’s nice to see some patience on the pp, passing to set up goals, less bum rushing into 4 defenders.
[Reply]
Thank you lord. Kopi, you’re a stud. Keep up the scoring streak!
[Reply]
jeff Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 12:15 pm
@raunq12, thank god your ikey keep up the hard work .i saw you in training camp and we talked you and Sullivan and said your were going to make the team and you are on it and you look good lets keep working hard kid your a tough bird
[Reply]
I think what Richards’ comments are valid. More players are using visors and I’m sure the league doesn’t want guys taking off their helmets to fight, especially when you think about Ryan Flynn and the concussion issue in general. I think this is just another nail in the fighting coffin for the league. Between Boogard, Belak, Rypien, staged fights, the instigator rule, concussions in general, and the visor (which may eventually be mandatory), we might be nearing the end of fighting in the league.
[Reply]
bringbackbutchgoring Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:13 am
@GregDM, Real men don’t wear visors or condoms…
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:16 am
@bringbackbutchgoring, or get snipped? LOL
[Reply]
mrbrett7 Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:27 am
@bringbackbutchgoring, Or get to see again when they take a puck or stick to the eye.
[Reply]
Kingsfan602 Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:13 am
@GregDM, Ryan Flynn at frozen fury right when he hit his head on the ice. If I remember correctly.
[Reply]
Good to hear. I still can’t help but be a little wary… warrior is to Kopi as worrier is to me… I hope he’s as alright as he says he is.
[Reply]
AZ King Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:14 am
@FiG17,
They don’t just take the player’s word for it. They probably already gave him a baseline test, and he must have passed.
[Reply]
Best news of the day! Go Kopi!!!! Let’s beat Flames. It would be a good “present” for DS. He deserved it!
[Reply]
I know this is falling on deaf ears but
THREE POWER PLAY GOALS!!!!!!!!
For those of you who lost faith, please stand in line to get back on the train!!!!
We welcome you back!
GO KINGS GO!
[Reply]
Kingsfan602 Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:15 am
@Lake Forest, does this mean Kompon should get a raise?
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:17 am
@Kingsfan602, no this means that Bernie Nicholls should “hang around” all season!
[Reply]
Kingsfan602 Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:25 am
@Stuart, lol was being sarcastic. Even when Bob and Jim interview Kompon its annoying to watch and listen to.
mrbrett7 Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:28 am
@Stuart, +1! There has been a real difference in the PP since he has been around.
WHEW! Love that he takes the clean hard hit, gets checked out to be sure he’s ok ( I like this rule ), and then moves on the next day. That was a huge hit, but part of the game. No big deal, end of story.
He makes me more proud of my #11 jersey every day!
And starting to fire up the goals again… just what we need.
[Reply]
go kopiii!!!!!
[Reply]
I understand that Morrow’s intention was shoulder and that he aimed for shoulder. I even think that the hit was on the clean side. I’ve watched the replay 20+ times now and when they actually collide Kopi’s Shoulder is at the bottom of Morrow’s number (almost at his hip) and Morrow Shoulder is at or about Kopi’s head. I’d still say it was on the clean side but it was borderline if you ask me.
[Reply]
Kingsfan602 Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:19 am
@purple and gold, I think the hit was ok. It was how he ended up hitting the boards that was akward to look at.
[Reply]
mrbrett7 Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:29 am
@purple and gold, The hit was textbook clean (from what I’ve seen). The whiplash and especially the boards caused most of the damage.
To Morrow’s credit, he said in the postgame notes that he hoped Kopitar was ok. I don’t like many of the Stars, but I respect Morrow.
[Reply]
Ironman
[Reply]
Whew! My fingers and toes were crossed since last night for sure proud to were all of my 11 Jersey’s as well, glad to hear all ok for Kopi! Feel great! and Go Forward, releax at net and they will go in!
Friday the 13th still my lucky day as always, good luck team on the road and DS and all too, and yep our power play and pucks are starting to go where they should in the net not on.
GO KINGS GO! All the way to the cup run over, and out!
Happy Birthday to Daryl Evans!
TO #3 and 13th too!
[Reply]
Why in the hell Sutter(even Murray also) kept putting J.Stoll on the shootout? He is sucks! I’d rather see JJ or Doughty than wothless Stoll on the shootout..Stop living in the past coach..Thank GOD Kopitar is ok..GKG..
[Reply]
Did VV or Lokti play the second half of the 3rd? I really cant remember if I saw them out there…
[Reply]
Gustavo Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:26 am
@Stuart,
Yes, also in OT
[Reply]
mrbrett7 Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:30 am
@Stuart, Not much…to much specialty teams.
[Reply]
So now we see Kopi’s OK. Good! Congratulations Mike Richards! Everybody applauds you standing up for your teammate. Unfortunately, your actions were probably the main reason the Kings lost the game. Unlike everybody, I have a real different, and I guess, unpopular perspective. I like seeing the Kings win games. I really don’t care how they win. In retrospect, and during your own private time Mike, I’ll bet you wish you didn’t jump in and get the penalties. To everybody who is ready to jump on me for this post (and say defending your teammate is more important than the points and winning), answer me 1 question. When was the year the Kings last won a playoff series?
[Reply]
Gustavo Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:31 am
@Poorman,
I agree with your unemotional take on how to handle such a hit on your team mate. Retribution or even the instigator, if someone needs to take that penalty should be left for players with less crucial roles than Richards and Kopitar. MR should have considered that much.
Having Kopi and MR out for so long hurt us in the OT, no doubt.
As for the playoff question…move on, new team, new season, new opportunity.
[Reply]
Poorman Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:52 am
@Gustavo, and at this moment, barely in 8th place. The needed the points.
[Reply]
mrbrett7 Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:31 am
@Poorman, If your top player gets taken out on that hit, clean or not, and nobody comes to their aid, guess what that means.
It sends a direct messege to the rest of the league to feel free to hit our best players because we won’t do anything about it.
This is hockey, not tiddlywinks. It’s how the game is played. You sacrifice a battle to win the war.
[Reply]
Poorman Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:53 am
@mrbrett7, What war are the Kings winning? They’re barely in a playoff position. Take the points!
[Reply]
AZ King Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 12:27 pm
@Poorman,
I’m not trying to be snarky, but if you haven’t played than you just won’t understand. I would rather see the Kings do what they did last night 100 times, than see them skate away once.
[Reply]
Poorman Reply:
January 13th, 2012 at 3:58 pm
@AZ King,I do understand, but I’m a fan of the team. I want them to win the game, not lose it because they’re standing up for a teammate. Forget everything else. They’re history is the Chicago Cubs of Hockey.
[Reply]
definitely feel much better now. Thankfully the Dr.’s around here were wrong after all, all saying it’s a concussion for sure.
[Reply]
Come to think of it, it’s really funny if the visor is the reason he was penalized. Does the league expect the player take the visor off before fighting? I mean, taking off the helmet is not an option, isn’t it? What if two players tangled up and fall then hit their back of the head? One of hockey players died (not NHLer) in that exact situation. So that means you can’t fight if you wear the visor? Someone help me out please. I’m so confused.
[Reply]
Thank frick-”KING” lord.
[Reply]
It’s a shame that no one discusses the possible correlation of “more concussions” with the 25% decrease in fighting this year. Admittedly, I’m on the side that sees value in the enforcer’s role….and I’m OK with people disagreeing with that position…..but to see absolutely Zero discussion on that possible correlation is stunning. Particularly when those arguing to keep fighting in the league have consistently suggested predicted that injuries to the leagues stars could increase if fighting was ever removed from the game.
And btw….just because it’s a “perceived mixed message” doesn’t mean it’s not an accurate perception.
Shame on the league if the path to lessen fighting isn’t analyzed with integrity. It too often seems to me that there is simply just a movement to do away with it…under the guise of doing something out of ultimate consideration for safety.
[Reply]
WOW!!!… That’s such great news… I was kind of worry that he had a head injury after hitting the boards like he did.. You know i’ve had Alot of favorite players in my 45 years as a Kings fan .. Players like .. ‘ Gene Carr,Dave Hutchinson,Juha Widing,Butch Goring,Charlie Sinner,Mike Krushelynski,Tony Granato,Glen Murray ( who my father nickname me after… Murray ), Jari Kurri,Ron Duguay,J.P. Kelly.. But it’s Kopi that i feel that my ATF..Way to go Richards!!… Go Kopi and Go Kings!!!
[Reply]
if that was crosby he’d be out for 3 years
[Reply]