Kopitar scores four goals to help rally Kings
Kemp does his job in the shootout as L.A. edges the Jets to end five-game trip 2-2-1.
WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Anze Kopitar scored four goals in regulation and Adrian Kempe had the only score in the shootout as the Kings rallied to beat the Winnipeg Jets 6-5 on Tuesday night.
“We’d like to be on the other side of things and play with the lead, but sometimes you’ve got to come from behind. It feels good,” Kopitar said.
Kopitar, the Kings’ captain, had a natural hat trick in the second period. It was the 35-year-old’s sixth career hat trick and second time he has scored four times in an NHL game.
“He had the hot hand. Anything he shot had a chance,” Kings coach Todd McLellan said of the 17-year veteran forward. “Not only did he get the four, but he probably could have had six, so we’re really happy for him.
“Great leadership, stepping up and pulling us through at the back end of a trip when it doesn’t look real good. A lot of other guys followed him.”
Gabriel Vilardi also scored and Drew Doughty had a pair of assists while Pheonix Copley made 26 saves for the Kings (34-20-8) as they ended a five-game trip with a 2-2-1 mark.
Josh Morrissey had his first four-point game, finishing with two goals and two assists for Winnipeg, which
is mired in its first four-game skid of the season. Winnipeg is 1-5-1 in its last seven games.
Morrissey praised the play of Kopitar.
“He looks the same as I remember watching him when I was a kid,” Morrissey said.
Miller suspended
K’Andre Miller of the New York Rangers was suspended three games for unsportsmanlike conduct for spitting at Doughty on Sunday.
Miller on social media said he did not intend to spit and thanked Doughty for the chance to explain that in person.