03/14/26 09:50:00
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03/14 21:48 CDT Kings' Kopitar sets franchise points record with 2 goals
against Devils
Kings' Kopitar sets franchise points record with 2 goals against Devils
By ALLAN KREDA
Associated Press
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) --- Anze Kopitar moved past Marcel Dionne and into the top
spot on the Los Angeles Kings career points list with two goals in a 6-4 loss
to the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night.
The 38-year-old Slovenian forward's second goal of the game and 450th of his
career against Jake Allen with 6:18 to play tied the contest at 4-4 and gave
him 1,308 career points, one more than Dionne. New Jersey's Jack Hughes scored
four minutes later on the power-play to put the Devils ahead to stay.
"It would have felt a lot better if we finished it off and won the game,''
Kopitar said.
Kopitar was mobbed by his teammates after the record-setting goal.
"I think everyone on this team will remember the moment regardless where they
were on the ice,'' said Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke, who assisted on the
record-setting goal. "That was awesome. We are so happy for him."
Devils players also lined up at center ice to shake Kopitar's hand at the
game's conclusion.
"I appreciate all the battles we've gone through with the guys --- with Jersey
or another team,'' Kopitar added. "It's been an honor."
Kopitar, who has played his entire 20-year career with the Kings, has 858
career assists, the most in team history. Dionne scored 550 goals with Los
Angeles. Luc Robitaille leads the franchise with 557 career goals.
The Kings captain and a two-time Stanley Cup winner said he will retire after
this season. Meanwhile, the Kings are in a tight battle to make the playoffs
for the fifth straight season.
Kopitar isn't focused on retirement quite yet.
"We're right in the thick of things right now so there's not a whole lot of
time to think about that,'' Kopitar added. "It's been a good run."
Kopitar scored to tie Dionne's record at 4:14 of the second period. He had an
earlier chance to set the record at the 14-minute mark of the second when his
one-timer beat Allen but hit the crossbar.
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
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