LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Los Angeles Kings' Stanley Cup ambitions were hit for the second time this week when their top scorer Anze Kopitar broke his right ankle in the 4-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.
The Kings expect the Slovenian, who fell awkwardly after getting entangled with Colorado defenseman Ryan O'Byrne in the second period, to be out for six weeks meaning he will miss the start of the playoffs should they qualify.
The Kings (43-26-6) sit fifth in the Western Conference standings with seven games remaining of the regular season.
"He's our best player," Los Angeles' captain Dustin Brown told reporters after their third consecutive win.
"You don't want to have your best player go down, but if that's the case, we need to shoulder the responsibility collectively and find a way (to win)."
The injury means Kopitar's franchise record of consecutive games will end at 330.
On Monday the Kings were hit with the news that winger Justin Williams, who has 22 goals this season, had dislocated his shoulder and would be out for three to four weeks.
The Kings expect the Slovenian, who fell awkwardly after getting entangled with Colorado defenseman Ryan O'Byrne in the second period, to be out for six weeks meaning he will miss the start of the playoffs should they qualify.
The Kings (43-26-6) sit fifth in the Western Conference standings with seven games remaining of the regular season.
"He's our best player," Los Angeles' captain Dustin Brown told reporters after their third consecutive win.
"You don't want to have your best player go down, but if that's the case, we need to shoulder the responsibility collectively and find a way (to win)."
The injury means Kopitar's franchise record of consecutive games will end at 330.
On Monday the Kings were hit with the news that winger Justin Williams, who has 22 goals this season, had dislocated his shoulder and would be out for three to four weeks.
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