In the second end of a back-to-back series with the St. Louis Blues, LA came out on top 6-3. It also marked the first time Kings captain Anze Kopitar notched a goal in the 2021 season. Posting a three point night in total (1G, 2A), Kopitar now has a league-leading nine assists and is also tied for the league-lead in points.
After the victory, he shared the following:
On the overall game tonight
I think we came out with a little bit more authority. The first period, even though we didn’t score a whole lot of goals, I thought it was probably one of the best periods that we’ve played. Being aggressive, being on top of pucks, and shooting the puck too. Then second period, the floodgates opened up for us and the third, we’ll work on it.
On playing with Adrian Kempe
I think he’s a really good player with really good skill and high speed. We’re just trying to use all that as much as we can, try to get him in the spots where he can shoot the puck. Hs shot is good, so trying to put him in a position where he can shoot it and create offense for us.
On the changes that led to recent offensive improvement
Well, there really hasn’t been any changes. Even late last year we were scoring goals. Getting our powerplay production is huge and gives us confidence even five-on-five so we just want to keep on going, keep creating. Like I said, first two period offensively, we were creating and yes, the goals were scored, but I think offensive zone time has obviously a lot to do with it and we want to keep on building.
On what is contributing to his offensive success this season
I feel good on the ice. I’m seeing the ice pretty well. I still think there’s room for improvement and in certain areas. So, I’ll keep on working on it and hopefully get better.
On the turning points early on in the game, and sitting back in the third
Well, they scored a goal first and maybe we gave up a few odd men rushes against, which we’re not thrilled about. I guess getting on the board with the power play goal again, it was pretty big for us and then we just started generating more and more and the pucks were going in for us. Then in the third we were just sitting back too much. We were waiting for them to come we knew they were gonna come out and give it their best in the third to try and catch up and catch us and we made it a little bit too interesting.
On the importance of optional skates and skipping morning skates early in the season
We’ve done that a lot last year too, where on a second leg of a back-to-back we just do our own thing in the hotel, get loose, get stretched out, activate it, whatever guys need to do and then come to the rink ready to play and be ready right at the start.
On the current play of Adrian Kempe versus his play the past few seasons
He’s got the hot hand. He’s been like that in the past where he went into spurts where he was one of the best if not the best players on the ice and now, we’re trying to get him the puck as much as we can and hopefully, he can stay consistent for us.
On the importance of depth scoring from Carl Grundstrom and Lias Andersson
It’s always huge. We always talk about depth scoring and I think today was a perfect example and we’ll take all we can get.
On any changes he’s seen in Jonathan Quick’s approach to games
I’m seeing the same old [Jonathan Quick]. I do think maybe this extended period of time gave him time to get all those little teeny tiny injuries out of the way and really get prepared for the season. He’s looked great so far so hopefully he can keep playing like that for us and there’s really nothing new we’ve been used for a long time.
On being tied for the NHL lead in scoring
Of course it’s nice, but let’s rack up some wins and we’ll see and focus on the individual stuff.
On his first goal of the season tonight, and if he was looking for his first goal tonight
Maybe I was looking at that tonight a little bit more, but usually they’re not the prettiest thing to get off the snide so I’ll take them anyway to come.
More postgame comments linked below.
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