Following the Kings pre-game skate this morning several players provided some exclusive comments for MayorsManor.
Earlier, I posted a few thoughts from Drew Doughty.
Here is what Anze Kopitar had to say…
MM: You didn’t have any points in your first pre-season game and then had four assists against Anaheim on Tuesday. How do you feel going into tonight’s game?
AK: The most important thing is to build the chemistry within the line. We played a little bit together last year. There are times when you play well and don’t get any points though. Then there are times when you don’t necessarily play that well but you get points. Obviously, you want to win the game and score some goals. But, I think we’re mostly looking to build the chemistry, get to know everybody on the line and then read off of each other.
Can that be interpreted that you weren’t happy with your performance the other night or were you being more general about not playing well and still getting points?
I’m saying that in general. I felt like I didn’t have the best game out there though. I played OK. There is still a step up I can take – maybe not points wise, but there are areas on the ice I can always improve on.
How is the chemistry coming together for you guys now, playing with Dustin Brown?
I played with Brownie before, so I’m not too worried about it. Everything is going smooth. We play the same system anyway. It’s not like we have a different structure on every line. It’s not hard to get used to a (new) guy on the line. You just want to know his tendencies or his weaknesses, whatever the case may be, and go with it.
The coaching staff will be taking a long look at guys like Loktionov and Schenn this weekend before making the final roster cuts. Have you seen anything in particular from those two guys in camp that has really impressed you?
They’re both really good players and that’s why they’re still here. They have a real good chance of making the team. I’m sure the coaching staff is going to be on them tonight and tomorrow. Schenner is a typical Canadian – hard working guy, goes to the net, goes to the hard areas, he can score goals, he can make plays. He’s a complete player. Loktionov is really poised with the puck and has a lot of patience. He plays responsibly too, all over the ice.
Does this feel like just another pre-season game to you given all that goes on around the game here in Vegas?
It’s just like another game. I think every pre-season game is approached as a regular season game anyway. This one maybe feels more like a regular season game though because the house is going to be packed and the crowd is always rocking here. So, it’s a little more intense, a little more energy.
More comments coming soon.
In the meantime, check out the photos and notes I posted on twitter.
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