Anze Kopitar delivers emotional address before final Kings’ regular season game

A brilliant career is coming to an end, and the Los Angeles Kings and their fans had a chance to offer their thanks and congratulations to Anze Kopitar as he gets set to retire at the end of the season.

Kopitar played the last regular-season home game of his career Saturday as the Kings hosted the Edmonton Oilers. The Kings were victorious in the game, beating the Oilers by a 1-0 score and earning their fourth consecutive win. Artemi Panarin scored the only goal of the game on a breakaway in the first period to give the Kings a lead they would hold on to throughout the final two periods.

Anton Forsberg helped the Kings gain the victory as he stopped 27 shots by the Oilers. Edmonton has now lost three of their last four games after a brief hot streak. The Kings defense held superstar Connor McDavid to one shot on goal.

The game was clearly important to the Kings as they are now in the No. 2 Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. They have a 34-26-19 record for 87 points, and that’s one more than the Nashville Predators.

However, it was Kopitar who stole the show before the game. He thanked the team and the fans for keeping him in their hearts throughout his career.

Kopitar took the mic at center ice to a rousing ovation and he had a hard time holding off his own tears. “Thank you for supporting us,” Kopitar said. “You have always had our heartbeat. We are going to do our best to come home for a couple of more playoff games. This has been my home for 20 years. Thank you to my teammates, coaches and trainers. Last but not least, thank you so very much.”

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