The Los Angeles Kings opened their season with a win by the final score of 3-1 over the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night. However, it didn't seem like that was going to be the outcome after two periods as the Kings really struggled to get much going on offense and were being pretty out-played by the Sabres.
The third period was a different story as the Kings took the game over, particularly this one player who kicks off this list of the top players from the first game of the 2024-25 season.
Top 3 Los Angeles Kings studs against the Buffalo Sabres
Anze Kopitar
Entering his 19th season in the NHL, Anze Kopitar continues to impress for the Los Angeles Kings. Their captain helped get the Kings going in the third period with a goal in the first 13 seconds of the period.
Alex Laferriere did a great job on the forecheck and was able to drop the puck back into the middle of the ice where Kopitar was able to finally get the puck past the Sabres' goalie. The game would remain tied for most of the period before the Kings got a power play late in the period.
The Sabres would actually be called for another penalty which gave the Kings a 5-on-3 and after winning the face-off and controlling the puck, it was Kopitar once again and would give the Kings the lead for good. However, he wasn't done there as he would complete the hat trick with a goal on an empty net off the assist from Quinton Byfield.