Hockey

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Kings' Kopitar rises to challenge

NHL's points leader credits conditioning

By: Joanne Ireland

26/11/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Kings centre Anze Kopitar (11), Chicago Blackhawks centre John Madden battle for the puck. (CHARLES REX ARBOGAST / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES)

EDMONTON -- Anze Kopitar altered his off-season conditioning program after being challenged by Los Angeles Kings management last spring.

The result has been impressive.

Kopitar has advanced from being a sporadic sniper to consistent point producer, while also improving his play in the defensive zone.

Entering Wednesday's game against the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place, Kopitar led the NHL with 33 points (14 goals, 19 assists).

"They wanted me to play at a high level for 20, 25 minutes a game," he said. "I felt confident I could take the next step and I think I've shown it so far. There's still a lot of work to be done, (but) being on top right now is something I'm really proud of.

"There are a lot of really good hockey players in this league, so just being on top, I know I must be doing something right. I'm getting the puck more in stride this year. In previous years, I'd have to go and get it. Now we're playing more of a possession game, which is really good."

The Kings reeled in Justin Williams and Ryan Smyth to provide more offensive punch, which has assisted Kopitar's rise.

Even folks in his hometown of Jesenice, Slovenia, are getting up in the middle of the night to watch the 22-year-old play.

"I did some different conditioning, more running than I have in the past, and I think it's helped me out this year. I feel good on the ice, that's the most important thing," Kopitar said.

Los Angeles has rocketed from the bottom of the heap to the top eight in the Western Conference. Granted, the season is still young and the Kings have some injuries to contend with, most notably to Smyth, who's out for a month, but the club's turnaround is noteworthy.

So, too, is Kopitar's progress.

"He does everything exceptionally well ---- skating, shooting, passing --and he's got a good frame to go with it. He's been a pretty special player for us all year," said Kings defenceman Matt Greene.

With Smyth now on the sidelines nursing an upper-body injury, Kopitar and Williams have seen some time with Alexander Frolov. Against the Oilers on Wednesday, Teddy Purcell was elevated to the top line. Purcell last scored in the third game of the season.

"(Kopitar) really paid attention to the detail part of the checking part of the game last year and, to me, he clearly made a decision over the off-season that this was an opportunity to show what he can do on the offensive side," Kings coach Terry Murray said.

"You get on a roll as a player sometimes and you just want to keep building with the same kind of energy and intensity."

Drafted by the Kings in 2005, Kopitar racked up 61 points in 72 games in his rookie campaign and eventually parlayed his offensive contributions into a seven-year, $47.6-million contract extension.

His game at the other end of the rink wasn't so dazzling. Kopitar was minus 12 in his first season, and a combined minus 32 the next two years. This season? He's improved his defensive responsibilities to the point where he was plus 5 in the first 24 games.

"You come to camp and think you're better prepared than you were in past years, then I got off to a pretty good start and that just built up my confidence a little more," Kopitar said.

-- Canwest News Service

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 26, 2009 C7

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