After going 2-8-0 in a 10 game stretch, the New York Rangers finally garnered another victory, this time against the Buffalo Sabres in an away matchup on Wednesday. Hoping to build off the recent win, the Rangers transition their focus to hosting the Los Angeles Kings in a matinee matchup at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.
As previously mentioned, the Rangers are coming off a 3-2 victory over Buffalo. In the matchup, veteran Mika Zibanejad recorded his 300th league goal, in addition to Reilly Smith and Adam Fox also scoring. Los Angeles most recently fell 3-1 against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday — Kings member Jordan Spence tallied their lone goal of the evening.
The Blueshirts currently hold a 15-12-1 record compared to Los Angeles's 17-9-3. The Kings sit in second place in the Pacific Division while the Rangers have recently fallen to be tied for fifth in the Metropolitan Division.
Records aside, Anze Kopitar is obviously the opposing team's player to watch ahead of the Dec. 14 matchup.
Anze Kopitar
Kopitar, who also happens to be the captain of the Kings, is currently the offensive leader for Los Angeles. Playing in all 29 games so far during the 2024-25 campaign, he currently has a team-high 32 points as a result of eight goals scored so far and 24 assists.
No. 11 was actually the first player from Slovenia to reach the NHL. Kopitar excels at both ends of the ice. With great hands and superb vision, he blends offensive creativity with defensive commitment. The result is a two-way force who seems to play his best hockey when the spotlight shines brightest.
The Slovenia native was the Selke Trophy winner in 2015-16 and 2017-18 — awared to the NHL's best defensive forward. Kopitar played a key role in the Kings' first two Stanley Cup championships.
Additionally, he has played in the NHL All-Star Game in 2008, 2011, 2015, 2018, and most recently in 2020.
How to Tune In
Puck drop for the Rangers hosting the Kings is slated for 1:00 p.m. EST, tomorrow — Saturday, Dec. 14. The game will be streamed via Fubo and ESPN+ and be sure to tune into ourTwitter for live updates.