Kopitar was much sought after when the Kings were about to end a four-game trip Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers. He held court with a throng of reporters before a nationally televised game in Canada. It was the encore to his four-goal masterpiece in what has turned into a statement season for the Hart Trophy, and it was against Connor McDavid.
But McDavid got the last word with two goals, to take over the NHL's scoring lead, in a 3-2 win at Rogers Place that knocked the Kings out of a playoff spot because the Oilers have played one more game than the Ducks.