It doesnt matter if he scores a goal every game but is on the ice for 2 of the other teams. He is losing his matchups and a minus player last year. No need to be a brat about the facts. Zero people have said Byfield is the #1c.
Kopitar should be leading in scoring because hes good, plays a lot of minutes, and had every second of meaningful powerplay minutes last year.
With that said I thought he played pretty well in game 1.
Yeah not sure why so many people are saying he's our best and most consistent C; he was outscored at 5v5 by several Kings last year and was objectively on the negative side of his matchups from january on, the numbers from the Oilers series are particularly damning (especially with Danault at nearly 70% gf%), and by the numbers was also one of our worst forwards last night. He's obviously a Kings legend and still immensely talented offensively--hence his assist and his effectiveness on the PP--but the guy has been getting absolutely murdered by other teams #1 centers consistently since the turn of the year and last night was no exception.
Wouldn't be surprised to watch him get obliterated by Beniers on Thurs. It's not Kopitar being 'bad', it's just that father time shows up for everyone. No one's saying they hate him or anything just that it's faulty logic extrapolating past performance to equal current success.
All that being said the minute distribution last night was a step in the right direction, hopefully they keep recognizing him getting totally beat down though.
Well that's fine but that's not on Kopi; someone's going to have step up and show they can play 1C.
Byfield has looked like an AHL'er for the most part of his career so far. Right now Kopitar is hands down our best and most consistent C; him leading the team in scoring for the hundredth time would not at all be surprising. Guys an absolute beast.
For the first time in his career, I would actually be surprised at this, and I think there are several Kings that would overtake him
especially if they were given the same opportunities.
And to be clear I'm definitely not saying bury him yesterday, just continue to ease his minutes while adding to others.