Getty Images The Los Angeles Kings received a serious scare on Saturday as Anze Kopitar suffered a knee injury overseas, but it looks like fans can breathe a sigh of relief since it doesn’t appear to be very serious.
GM Dean Lombardi says the issue is only of the two to three week variety, according to Helene Elliott of the Los Angeles Times.
With that in mind, Kopitar will probably be in street clothes when the Kings reportedly open their season (and raise that first-ever Stanley Cup banner) against the Chicago Blackhawks on Jan. 19.
Perhaps he could be back if a) that two-week window pertained to the date of that Jan. 5 injury itself instead of today or b) he recovers ahead of schedule, but the Kings would likely be wise to take caution with the Slovenian star.
The talented playmaker had arguably the best year of his career last season, putting up 76 points in the regular season before going a point-per-game in 20 playoff contests. To little surprise, he also dominated in Sweden’s second league with 34 points in 30 games during the lockout.
In other words, the reigning Slovenian sportsman of the year should be worth the wait.
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New York trailed 2-0 in first-round series with Washington.
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Canucks’ captain scores twice. Where was that in the playoffs?
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Report: No supplemental discipline for Quick’s abuse of officials
May 19, 2013, 4:48 PM EDT
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He escapes the league’s ire.
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Brad Marchand might want a do-over.
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A pair of young players led the way.
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AP
Their youthful trio will play once again.
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He was a healthy scratch in Games 1 and 2.
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Quick assessed game misconduct for ‘abuse of officials’ after Game 3 loss
May 19, 2013, 1:09 PM EDT
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He could face league discipline.
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He played just 15:37 in Game 2.
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The playoffs haven’t been kind.
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Playoffs tonight: Spezza’s Game 3 return, Bruins-Rangers highlight your Sunday
May 19, 2013, 10:30 AM EDT
AP
A pivotal Game 3 awaits in Ottawa.
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Kings’ Scuderi took the diplomatic route complaining about Game 3 calls
May 19, 2013, 9:54 AM EDT
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Veteran d-man kept it mellow.
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“He screws it up.”
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Penner blasts refs for having ‘gall to guess’ on goalie interference call
May 19, 2013, 12:44 AM EDT
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Trevor Lewis doesn’t think it was a penalty.
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Logan Couture goes from injured to game-winner.
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His Halifax Mooseheads topped Seth Jones’ Portland Winterhawks.
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Ouch.
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At least Scott Hannan’s OK?
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These moments hurt in games with small margins of error.
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After falling to it in Game 2.
