Anze Kopitar, Kings Captain, Suffers Foot Injury
Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar is facing a period of inactivity due to a significant foot injury. The news was confirmed this Friday, generating concern among the team’s fans.
Kopitar, who did not participate in the 4-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, will be out of action week to week, according to the Kings’ official announcement.
The injury occurred on Monday, during the game against the Minnesota Wild, when a deflected puck hit the player’s foot.
This season marks Kopitar’s twentieth and final year in the NHL, a career that has been entirely with the Kings. The Slovenian center announced his imminent retirement last month, at the start of training camp.
Kopitar, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, has been awarded the Selke Trophy twice, which recognizes the NHL’s most outstanding defensive forward. In addition, he is the second-highest scorer in Kings history and has been selected five times for the All-Star game.
The Kings have had a complicated start to the season, with three consecutive losses that have led them to a 1-3-1 record. The new general manager, Ken Holland, made few changes to the roster that equaled the franchise records in points and wins last season.
Los Angeles will receive Carolina, which remains undefeated, on Saturday night.
