Kopitar Out Week-to-Week with Foot Injury
The Los Angeles Kings have been dealt an early-season blow, as captain Anze Kopitar will be sidelined week-to-week with a foot injury. Kopitar suffered the injury after taking a puck to the foot during Monday's game against the Minnesota Wild.
The 38-year-old center was held out of Thursday's contest against the Pittsburgh Penguins and is now expected to miss at least the Kings' next three games. This comes as an additional setback for a Los Angeles team that has stumbled out of the gate, currently sitting in sixth place in the Pacific Division with a 1-3-1 record.
Depth Being Tested in LA
Beyond Kopitar's absence, the Kings have also been without several other key contributors due to injury. Veteran defenseman Kyle Burroughs and goaltender Darcy Kuemper have both missed time, further testing the team's depth.
Head coach Jim Hiller acknowledged the team's early struggles, admitting they are "in a funk" after the loss to Pittsburgh. With Kopitar sidelined, the Kings will need secondary scoring options like Adrian Kempe, Phillip Danault, and Trevor Moore to step up in his absence.
Highly touted prospects Quinton Byfield and Alex Turcotte may also see increased opportunities to make an impact as the Kings navigate this early injury crisis. Maintaining competitiveness in the tough Pacific Division will be crucial for Los Angeles as they await the return of their veteran captain.
TL;DR
- Anze Kopitar will miss 1-2 weeks with a foot injury, adding to the Kings' early-season woes
- Los Angeles has also been without several other key players due to injury, testing their depth
- Head coach Jim Hiller admitted the team is "in a funk" after a 1-3-1 start to the season
- Secondary scoring options and top prospects will need to step up in Kopitar's absence
- Maintaining competitiveness in the Pacific Division will be crucial for the Kings