A couple of goals on a historic night on Saturday this weekend (March 14) for center captain Anze Kopitar couldn't get the Los Angeles Kings (27-24-15) two points in the standings in the Pacific Division in the West vs. the New Jersey Devils (33-31-2) on the road in the tri-state area.
Anze Kopitar makes history for the Los Angeles Kings in a two-goal road loss to New Jersey this weekend
Kopitar made history for the second game in a row for the Kings and new interim head coach DJ Smith on Saturday evening vs. the Devils in New Jersey on the ice. The two goals Kopitar scored on the scoreboard for the Kings yesterday saw him tie and then surpass legend Marcel Dionne for the most career points all-time in franchise history this weekend.
The assists on the goal that saw Kopitar make history and surpass Dionne for the most all-time career points in Kings' franchise history was from defenseman Brandt Clarke and star forward Artemi Panarin.
Kopitar and Clarke gave their reaction to the media yesterday after the third-period loss in the final frame vs. New Jersey on the road this weekend.
The Kings need two points in the standings in the West in the Pacific Division this regular season this upcoming week on Monday night (March 16) vs. the New York Rangers at the end of this long road trip this past week.
Here's a look at everything Kopitar and Clarke said to the media postgame following the Kings' 6-4 road loss to the Devils in the back end of back-to-back games in New Jersey on March 14.
Anze Kopitar
On the feeling he had setting the franchise record for the Kings in all-time career points
"Quite honestly, feels pretty shitty, losing the game, I can imagine it would feel a lot better if we finished it off and won the game."
On having his family in New Jersey on the road for that big moment in his career
"It wasn’t planned like that, it’s just how it worked out. They actually weren’t in the building, but they’re back in the city waiting for me, so hopefully they won’t go to bed quite yet."
On thinking he had the goal on the 2-on-1 in the middle frame in the second period with Artemi Panarin on the odd-man rush vs. New Jersey yesterday for the Kings
"I connected really good on it, but when I heard the sound, I figured it was bar and up and not bar and down."
On the ups and downs with momentum for the Kings yesterday on the ice and on the scoreboard
"I thought we came out pretty flat in the first, they were dictating the pace and everything. Then, in the second, we were the ones coming out and controlling the play. Then it flipped again in the third. Going into the third, being up by one, it’s obviously not ideal if you get scored on, on the first shift, so all bets are off after that. We came back, tied it up again, but eventually we couldn’t close it."
Brandt Clarke
On Anze Kopitar setting the career mark for all-time points for the Kings yesterday on the ice
"I think everyone on this team will remember that moment regardless of where they were on the ice today. That was awesome. We're so happy for him. We knew he was coming and he's just a special person. It's a good feeling for all of us to see him accomplish that."
On the slow start in the opening frame in the first period vs. New Jersey this weekend
"They definitely got on us in the first. We came out with a jolt in the second. I don't know what it was in the first. They do a good job getting the pucks behind you and getting on pucks quick, but that's not an excuse. We didn't play our game to start the game, and that's unacceptable, and we got behind the eight ball early. It's definitely something we got to clean up."
On not being able to get two points in the standings in the West yesterday vs. New Jersey in the Pacific Division
"It's unfortunate, obviously. Every game matters. I don't think I need to tell you that, it's frustrating. We were right there. We played a good game. We showed resilience, and to walk away with no actual points, it's frustrating."
On the goal Taylor Ward scored offensively vs. New Jersey in the middle frame yesterday
"I think that was like the fourth shot on that shift. They were jamming in front, winning battles below the goal line, and that made their forwards collapse and gave me room at the top to work out, and Ward did a good job getting open, and it was a great shot. Credit to them, they've been doing really well the last little bit here."
On how he's improved his game this regular season for the Kings in this past few months
"I'm feeling good. I'm happy to be involved, happy to be relied upon, and this is the fun time of the year, and I'm right there with the boys, and it's just fun. They trust my instincts, and I'm a cog in the wheel right now with this team. We're just trucking along. It's unfortunate not to get the job done tonight, but we have the bodies in this room that we know we can pull it off."