Culver City Observer -

Anze Kopitar, leader and captain of the LA Kings is continuing to defy all odds and carry the team on his shoulders. His leadership and energy is contagious as he continues to make every player on the team better and inspiring them to take their performance to the next level.

Fans, before the season started, that were doubting that Kopitar, 34 years old, had anything left in the tank, are now basking in the glow of his veteran, elite performance so far early in this season. Every time he takes the ice, fans are now expecting greatness, and he is delivering.

The Kings are surging right now, riding a four-game win streak (5-5-1), and much of that success is due to Kopitar, a five-time NHL All-Star and two-time Stanley Cup champion, leading his players down the ice like a warrior. The Kings won four of five games on their recent homestand while riding Kopitar's five points (1-4) in the last four games.

As it stands right now, in 11 games played, he's got seven goals and seven assists for a total of 14 points. For overall points in the NHL, Kopitar is ranked #5, tied with six other players. Goals, he's ranked #3, tied with nine other players.

Not bad for an "old" guy.

There's a reason why Kopitar was awarded the Frank J. Selke Trophy twice (2016, 2018) for best defensive forward in the NHL. His skills continue to shine at both ends of the ice. And since being named the league's first star of the week for the opening week of this season (3-2-5 on Opening Night, a Kings franchise record in a season opener), Kopitar continues to shoot for the stars and take his performance to the next dimension.

He should no longer be considered one of the most under-appreciated players in the NHL