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Kings activate Kopitar (knee), will play vs. Colorado

Edmonton Oilers v Los Angeles Kings

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 02: Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings reacts to a missed chance against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period at Staples Center on April 2, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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The Los Angeles Kings announced the return of their leading scorer on Tuesday, activating Anze Kopitar from injured reserve for tonight’s game against Colorado at the Pepsi Center.

Kopitar, 25, had been out of action with a knee sprain suffered playing with Mora IK of the Swedish second division during the lockout.

He proceeded to miss LA’s opening-day game against Chicago -- a 5-2 loss at Staples -- but was able to partake in the pregame ring and banner-raising ceremony.

Not that it helped any.

“It definitely wasn’t fun,” he told NHL.com. “But it is what it is. I’d much rather play in 47 (of the truncated 48-game regular season) than to get hurt and be sidelined for a lot longer.”

Sounds as though Kopitar will resume his first-line duties, centering Dustin Brown and Justin Williams. That trio was huge for the Kings during their Stanley Cup championship run, combining for 55 points over 20 games.