Los Angeles Kings Lose Anze Kopitar, Win Game
The Los Angeles Kings beat the Colorado Avalanche 4-1 but lost Anze Kopitar to injury Saturday afternoon at the Staples Center.
The Kings scored twice in the first period.
Anze Kopitar hit a snap shot that was stopped by Colorado netminder Peter Budaj. The rebound came rolling out to Willie Mitchell, who fired off a quick shot from near the blue line. It found its way past Budaj to give L.A. the 1-0 lead.
Mitchell was originally given the goal, but it was determined the puck had deflected off Kopitar, so he was credited with the tip-in. However, after the game, the scoring changed again as Mitchell officially got the goal.
It was his fifth of the season, a new career-high for Mitchell.
The second goal for the Kings was scored on the power play by Michal Handzus as his wrist shot went in off the crossbar. Dustin Brown and Drew Doughty were awarded the helpers.
L.A. was dealt a serious blow during a scary moment in the second period.
Kopitar and a Colorado player were battling for puck possession along the boards, with the Avalanche right behind Kopitar. During the scramble, Kopitar twisted his ankle in what Kings broadcaster Jim Fox called a “snapping motion,” causing it to bend at a weird angle.
Kopitar immediately went down and remained prone on the ice for several moments before slowly getting up. He then skated off dragging his right leg behind him and needed two men to help him. He headed straight for the dressing room, appearing to hop on one foot.
After the game, the team announced he had broken his ankle and would be out at least six weeks.
Kopitar is the team leader in assists (48) and points (73). Second on the Kings in both categories is Justin Williams with 35 assists and 57 points; he is expected to miss the next few weeks with a dislocated shoulder in the win over the Calgary Flames.
Kopitar is also tied with Brown for most goals with 25.
The Kings’ victory over the Nashville Predators marked the 325th consecutive game played by Kopitar, breaking the old record of 324 by Marcel Dionne; today was his 330th game in a row.
With 1:39 remaining in the middle frame, Colorado got back in the game with a goal from Milan Hejduk.
The goal gave him 20 on the season for the 11th time in a row, tying him with Joe Sakic for the team record.
Though the third period began with the teams separated by just one goal, the Kings were able to pull away with two more goals from players who had not lit the lamp in some time.
Trevor Lewis hit a wrist shot that did not go in, but Ryan Smyth circled around from behind the net, picked up the puck and put a backhand shot past Budaj for the highlight-reel goal.
It was Smyth’s 21st of the season but first in the past 15 games and second in 25.
Lewis and Brown got the assists.
Fittingly, Lewis followed that with his first in 40 games (third this season) and Smyth got the assist.
The tally came after Smyth slid the puck under the stick of a Colorado defender and right to Lewis.
The win marked the first time L.A. swept a season series against the Avalanche.
It was also their 43rd win in 75 games, the most in team history.
Jonathan Quick made 20 saves for the 94th win of his career. The 93rd moved him into sole possession of third place in franchise history for wins by a Kings goaltender.
The three stars of the game were Smyth, Lewis and Quick.
The Kings travel to Edmonton to take on the Oilers Tuesday at 6:30 PT.
This article also appears on Sports Haze L.A. and The Royal Puck.
Twitter: @daniparenteau & @RantSports
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