Kings welcome Kopitar back against Avalanche

Tuesday, 01.22.2013 / 3:55 PM

By Rick Sadowski - NHL.com Correspondent / 2012-2013 At the Rink blog

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DENVER -- Center Anze Kopitar will make his season debut for the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday night against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center.

Kopitar, who led the Stanley Cup champions in scoring last season with 76 points (25 goals, 51 assists) in 82 games, missed Saturday's season-opening 5-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks with a sprained right knee he sustained while playing in Sweden during the lockout.

Kopitar will skate between usual linemates Dustin Brown and Justin Williams.

"It feels good," Kopitar said after Tuesday's morning skate. "I just felt good all week pretty much. The last couple practices have been pretty intense and going all out it felt good. I think I'm ready to play. We wanted to be smart, but you can't baby it forever."

Kopitar had to settle for watching Saturday's game on television after taking part in the Stanley Cup banner raising and ring ceremony at Staples Center.

"It definitely wasn't fun," he said. "But it is what it is. I'd much rather play in 47 (of the truncated 48-game regular season) than to get hurt and be sidelined for a lot longer."

Defenseman Matt Greene suffered a back injury on Saturday and has been placed on injured reserve. The Kings recalled Andrew Bodnarchuk from Manchester in the American Hockey League to replace Greene on the roster, but Jake Muzzin will take Greene's spot in the lineup against Colorado.

KINGS

Dustin Brown – Anze Kopitar – Justin Williams

Dustin Penner/Simon Gagne – Mike Richards – Jeff Carter

Dwight King – Jarret Stoll – Trevor Lewis

Kyle Clifford – Colin Fraser – Jordan Nolan

Rob Scuderi – Drew Doughty

Jake Muzzin – Slava Voynov

Alec Martinez – Davis Drewiske

Jonathan Quick

Jonathan Bernier

Scratches: Andrew Bodnarchuk, Brad Richardson

Injuries: Matt Greene, Willie Mitchell