Anze Kopitar has been a key contributor to the Los Angeles Kings’ success this season, by leading the team in the top three scoring categories.
Los Angeles Kings Center and Captain Anze Kopitar has been a key component to the team’s winning ways this season. As fans in Los Angeles say, “Kopi” is proving why he remains the man in charge with the “C” on his chest. Just 15 games into the 2017 campaign -all of which he’s played- Anze leads the team in every major offensive category. He currently has racked up eight goals, 11 assists, and 19 points.
In the last five games Kopitar has contributed at minimum one point in each contest. Kopitar tallied a goal and an assist in his last game, and overtimes thriller versus Anaheim. The hope is that Kopitar continues to contribute all season long. Especially as the Kings head into a showdown with the Eastern Conference leading Tampa Bay Lightning tonight.
Based on his production thus far, Anze Kopitar is two-thirds into his final goals total from last season, 12 respectively. He’s also completed almost 37% of his final points total from last season, finishing with 52 total. Kopitar is already a quarter of the way from matching his assist total from last season, just 15 games in.
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If Anze continues to be the front man in the categories mentioned prior all season long, it is quite possible that he can have his best season yet. On top of that, this can also help the Kings continue to not skip-a-beat with center Jeff Carter out indefinitely. This is also the type of leadership needed this season to keep the offense afloat and have a top spot in the playoffs down the line.
Looking Ahead: The Kings face off against Hockey’s best team tonight, facing the Lightning at home. Tampa Bay has been dominant this year, with a record of 12-2-2. Tampa Bay also has some of the most productive offensive players in the league, Steven Stamkos in particular. Stamkos leads the NHL with 28 total points on the year. Teammate Nikita Kucherov leads the NHL with 15 goals of his own, so the Kings’ defense will be busy.