LA Kings defeat Ducks, Kopitar named NHL "Three Star" of the Week

Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar has had quite a memorable week.  Just days after he signed a huge eight-year contract reportedly worth $80 million, Kopitar today was named one of the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week, along with Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane and Calgary Flames center Sam Bennett.

Kopitar tied for the League lead with seven points (2-5—7) in three games, as the Pacific Division-leading Kings (28-13-3, 59 points) gained four of a possible six standings points.

Kopitar, 28, opened the week by notching one goal and three assists in a 4-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings. He then recorded one assist in a 5-3 loss to the Ottawa Senators.

Kopitar finished the week with one goal and one assist in a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Jan. 17. He is in his 10th season with the Kings and leads the team in assists (25) and points (38) this season.

KINGS BEAT DUCKS, 3-2

Anze Kopitar (1-1—2) scored the game-winning goal at 17:40 of the second period as the Kings improved to 8-2-1 in their last 11 outings. Kopitar paces the club in assists (25) and points (38) this season. Jonathan Quick (30 saves) improved to 8-1-1 in his last 10 appearances and 25-10-2 overall (2.10 GAA, .923 SV%, 3 SO).

The Kings have won five of their last six road games, improving to 14-6-2 as visitors overall. They rank second in the Western Conference in road wins (14) and points (30), trailing only SJS (15-6-2, 32 points).

Kings forward Tyler Toffoli (1-0—1) has scored in three straight games (3-1—4) and leads the club with 22 goals this season (44 GP).  Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin (0-1—1) stretched his career-high point streak to seven games (1-6—7). Per Elias, that is the longest point streak by a Kings defenseman since Dec. 10-28, 2005 (Lubomir Visnovsky: 1-11—12 in 9 GP).

Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf (0-1—1) extended his point streak to five games (0-5—5).

Forward David Perron scored in his debut with the Ducks.

BLACKHAWKS GET 11TH STRAIGHT WIN

Marian Hossa (1-2—3), Jonathan Toews (2-0—2), Patrick Kane (1-1—2) and Andrew Shaw (0-2—2) all posted multiple points to guide the Blackhawks to their 11th consecutive victory, the second longest such streak in the NHL this season. Per Elias, the Blackhawks have also equaled a franchise-record winning streak set Feb. 15 – March 6, 2013 (11-0-0).

The Blackhawks earned their sixth consecutive win at United Center, improving to 20-5-1 in 26 home games this season. They lead the NHL in home wins (20) and points (41).

Toews’ second marker was also his seventh game-winning goal of 2015-16, tying Joe Pavelski (SJS) for the NHL lead.

With 50 career game-winning goals, Elias says Toews passed Steve Larmer (49 GWG) for sole possession of third on the franchise’s all-time list.

Patrick Kane registered his second straight multi-point game (4-2—6) and continues to pace the NHL in goals (29), assists (40) and points (69) this season (48 GP).

Corey Crawford (27 saves) extended his personal winning streak to eight games, matching his career high from Feb. 20 – March 5, 2011. He improved to 26-10-2 overall (2.17 GAA, .929 SV%, 6 SO) and sits second in wins this season behind leader Braden Holtby (29).

Crawford, a Montreal native, improved to 5-0-2 in seven career games against his hometown club.

WILLIAMS LEADS CAPITALS TO 12TH STRAIGHT HOME WIN

Justin Williams (3-0—3) recorded the second hat trick of his NHL career (also Oct. 16, 2006 at TBL: 3-1—4 w/ CAR) to power the Capitals to their 12th consecutive victory at Verizon Center, their longest such run since a franchise-record 13-game home winning streak from Jan. 5 – March 6, 2010.

At 34-8-3 (71 points), the NHL-leading Capitals continued their best start to a season – in terms of wins and points – in the franchise’s 41-year history. They also improved to 18-3-1 in 22 games at Verizon Center and lead the Eastern Conference in home wins (18) and points (37).

Evgeny Kuznetsov (0-3—3) earned at least three points in a game for the sixth time this season (45 GP), two of which have been in his last three outings (2-1—3 vs. VAN on Jan. 14, 2016).

Alex Ovechkin (1-0—1) has scored six times in his last six games (6-0—6). Ovechkin ranks second in the NHL with 27 goals, trailing only Patrick Kane (29 w/ CHI). Per Elias, Ovechkin has scored at least one goal in each of his last nine regular-season games against the Rangers, which is the longest goal-scoring streak versus one team in his NHL career.

SUNDAY’S RESULTS (Home Team in Caps)

PITTSBURGH 5, Carolina 0
Vancouver 2, NY ISLANDERS 1 (SO)
TAMPA BAY 3, Florida 1
WASHINGTON 5, NY Rangers 2
CHICAGO 5, Montreal 2
Philadelphia 2, DETROIT 1 (SO)
Los Angeles 3, ANAHEIM 2

MONDAY’S ACTION (All Times Eastern)

Edmonton @ Florida, 7:30 p.m., SNW, FS-F
Pittsburgh @ St. Louis, 8:00 p.m., NBCSN, TVAS, SNE, SNO, SNP, ROOT
Colorado @ Winnipeg, 8:00 p.m., ALT, TSN3
Buffalo @ Arizona, 9:00 p.m., MSG-B, BELL TV, FS-A
Ottawa @ San Jose, 10:30 p.m., RDS, TSN5, CSN-CA

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services