CHICAGO -- Over the last few years, Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar has quietly been making a bid for the Selke Trophy, the award given to the top defensive forward in the NHL. A finalist for the first time, Kopitar is finally getting the recognition his teammates say he so desperately deserves as one of the best two-way forwards in hockey.
"He's phenomenal defensively, he doesn't get enough credit," Kings defenseman Drew Doughty said Tuesday afternoon from the United Center following the team's off-day practice. "I guess he did this year, nominated for the Selke, but I think he deserved it in other years, too."
In the Western Conference semifinals, the marquee matchup up the middle was Kopitar vs. Ryan Getzlaf. But Getzlaf is a different type of player. The Ducks' captain is big and physical, yet surprisingly fast. Much like Kopitar, he's a playmaker. But Kopitar has much more of a propensity to score.
The Slovenian forward led the Kings with 29 goals scored this past regular season. With the addition of sniper Marian Gaborik, the scoring load has been lifted, leaving Kopitar free to make an array of dazzling passes to Gaborik. He leads the league in playoff points with 19 (five goals, 14 assists) and his plus-7 rating is currently second.
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"As far as two-way centermen, he's top five in the league, there's no doubt about it," said Doughty. "Kopi does it all for us. When we need to win a series and we need to win big games, he's one of the guys we look upon to do it."
Ultimately, the battle between Kopitar and Getzlaf was entertaining but short-lived. Head coach Bruce Boudreau employed Saku Koivu, a more defensive-minded forward than Getzlaf, to defend Kopitar much of the time.
But now, with Kings facing the Blackhawks in the Western Conference finals, the Kopitar-Jonathan Toews battle takes center stage. Unlike the last series, it isn't likely to change. For Kopitar to win the battle for the Selke, he'll have to unseat Toews, the current recipient and a three-time finalist whom Kings coach Darryl Sutter says is the best.
"Jonathan Toews," Sutter said. "He is the best two-way player in the National Hockey League."
There's a mutual respect from Toews. The Canadian center is not a particularly verbose talker, yet gave Kopitar a glowing recommendation.
"He's not easy to play against," Toews said. "He's good on draws, he's tough to defend, especially in the offensive zone. He's big and strong and he moves the puck well, and I think he's got good vision, knows where to find his linemates, even if he's got his back to the play. So, you've got to try and get on those pucks early and get your stick on 'em before he can try and get position on you.
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"I said the other night the best way to really play defense against him is to try and keep him in his own zone, but easier said than done I guess."
The Blackhawks are one of the deepest offensive teams in the league. Their offensive firepower from lines 1 to 4, as well as their top defensemen, makes them a particularly difficult team to defend, even for a top defense like the Kings. No matter how staunch the defense already is, their weapons are numerous, making two-way players like Kopitar that much more important.
"That's always the benefit of having a guy like Kopi, or for the 'Hawks, Towes," said Kings' captain Dustin Brown. "It's not just about them scoring or getting points. Kopi has had a point or two this year in almost every game of the playoffs, that's just an added benefit. His skill level, when you're going up against a guy like Toews and the offensive-minded Blackhawks you need to kind of have a guy that's able to play that game."
Finally, Kopitar will get a chance to make his case as a premiere two-way player much louder than before.
