In Anaheim on Sunday, Anze Kopitar scored a goal and added an assist as the Los Angeles Kings escaped the Ducks with a 3-2 win.
With a sparkling new contract, Kopitar now is the center of attention in LA and the NHL and his bench boss is just happy to move beyond the numbers talk.
“There’s been a little but too much talk around our team the last couple weeks about new players and contracts and all of that,” Kings coach Darryl Sutter said. “We’re trying to make the playoffs. We were playing tonight a team that won the [Pacific] Division last year and went to the [western] Conference finals, so to think that you’re going to have momentum the whole game or anything like that, it’s not.”
Anze Kopitar had a goal and assist in win over Ducks – file photo by Jack Lima
Jonathan Quick made 30 saves in the win.
“It was a good game,” Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said. “Both teams had chances. It was pretty evenly played. They took advantage of theirs, and we had opportunities we didn’t take advantage of. That happens.”
Brayden McNabb scored what would become the game-winner in the second period.
Vincent Lecavalier scored his second for the Kings since being acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers.
“He’s done a lot for us,” Kopitar said. “Maybe it doesn’t show on the scoresheet, but those little plays he makes; he takes a lot of faceoffs, especially in our zone too, which usually turn out to be very, very big plays. So it’s been nice to have him.”
Rickard Rakell and newly acquired David Perron scored for the Ducks.
“I think the biggest thing for me is the O-zone play,” Perron said “It’s really working really hard and cycling the puck, not losing it and finding guys in the slot, stuff like that. I like that style, for sure.”
John Gibson absorbed the loss on 23 saves.
You must be logged in to post a comment.