Thoughts from Anze Kopitar after the Kings’ practice at Dodger Stadium on Friday evening…
On this game vs the other outdoor games this year:
“I don’t know if you can draw too much comparison between this game and the one on the East Coast. It’s just the one thing. They were stressing out. It’s just keep it simple, meaning not to over pass, over think, just put as many pucks on the net as you can. It’s usually never a bad play if the puck goes toward the net and a few guys go in there.”
On if there will be shorter shifts due to the warmer climate or fatigue factor:
“I don’t know. You’d probably have to ask that question after the game tomorrow.”
On what significance the outdoor game will be for hockey in Southern California:
“Hopefully the growth of hockey in Southern California. I think it has been that way since the Ducks won in ’07. Hopefully this game is going to be an event where kids are going to look up to it and say, ‘this is pretty cool, maybe I want to do this and try this.'”
On if he ever thought there would be in outdoor game in Southern California:
“No. It’s one of those things you’re hoping you’re going to be apart of one. But usually you have better odds playing in the east to participate in one, you know, but I guess there’s a slight hope in your system where you want to play. Even here. It’s nice that the dream comes true.”
On if he’s watched previous Winter Classics:
“I watched this year, yeah. I thought it was pretty cool. I missed a couple of periods, once. It looks pretty cool, obviously, on TV’s. I’ve said before maybe it’s a little bit more fitting when it’s snowing versus the sun, but I’m sure tomorrow it’s going to be fun, too.”
On different federations sending notices to players about Russia:
“Obviously it come across when you’re reading the news, whatever it is. It might be the only chance for me to play in the Olympics and my family to experience that.”
On who is going to Russia with him:
“My wife is going, and obviously my dad is going to be there. My mom’s actually staying home.”
On what extra security measures the Slovenian team might be taking:
“We haven’t talked about that. [Reporter: What’s your level of concern?] To be quite honest, I didn’t really think about it yet. I’m sure security is going to be at a high level. [Reporter: Because this is not a foreign place to you like it is a lot of people.] I’ve never been in Russia before.”
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