Kopitar works to meet expectations

LAS VEGAS -- A key piece for the Kings’ offense this season will be Anze Kopitar, the team’s talented 20-year old forward from Slovenia.

Kopitar, who scored 20 goals and had 61 points in 72 games as a rookie last season, has the skill to be a dominant NHL player but understands that he still has a lot of room to grow.

“My personal goals are higher,” Kopitar said. “I don’t want to expect too much and put too much pressure on myself, but I feel good going into this season.”

Kopitar was in the lineup Saturday night for the Kings’ 3-2 shootout victory over Colorado at the MGM Grand. At 6 feet 4, 218 pounds, Kopitar was easy to notice, scoring a second-period goal and adding an assist on Dustin Brown’s score in the third.

“My weight is down from last year and I feel stronger overall,” he said. “I worked on my core to strengthen my back.”

Last season, Kopitar had some back problems but that did not stop him from bursting on the scene with a strong effort right from his first game.

“My start was amazing,” Kopitar said. “Goals at the start will be pretty hard to reach again this year. It was kind of a surprise for me last year.”

Kopitar realizes that he will not be able to sneak up on anyone this season.

“Probably all the guys in here and all the guys in the office expect more from me than last year,” he said. “Last year they didn’t know what to expect and I kind of set the bar pretty high. So not that I’m scared of it, but it is a little pressure yes. But I’ve got to forget that and play on a higher level than I did last year and just forget it and go along with it and try to work hard every night. That’s probably going to be the key for the success.”

On Saturday, Kopitar skated against Tyler Arnason of the Avalanche and Kings Coach Mark Crawford said it was a great matchup to watch. “That’s really the future of the league,” Crawford said. “Those guys went head to head on every shift.”

Kopitar said he enjoys such challenges.

“The guys are saying that the second year is a little harder because everyone’s expecting more, but in one way it’s easier,” he said. “Because I know what’s going on, how the coaches, how the rest of the guys are. There’s a great bunch of players in here that I just really get along really, really well with.”

Rookie goaltender Jonathan Bernier started and played the entire game Saturday night, giving up two goals in 26 shots. Bernier, who will probably be with the team when it opens the regular season against the Ducks on Sept. 29 in London, said he felt comfortable against the Avalanche.

“I was a little tired in the first because it was so hot,” Bernier said. “But I felt much better in the third and overtime. Any time you can stop a five-on-three you have to feel pretty good.”

Goaltender Dan Cloutier cleared waivers and was assigned to Manchester of the American Hockey League.

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lonnie.white@latimes.com