An initial look at the statistics would indicate that Anze Kopitar is having a rough year and certainly isn't living up to the seven-year, $47.6 million contract extension he signed in September. But it's not that simple.

Yes, Kopitar's numbers are down. He totaled 32 goals and 77 points last season and is on pace for only 22 goals and 63 points this season, a seemingly odd drop for a 21-year-old center who should still be improving.

Except that Kopitar is improving—at the other end of the ice. From the start of training camp, first-year coach Terry Murray demanded solid two-way play from his forwards, even if it took them away from their offensive game a bit.

Kopitar has been the first-line center all season, often matched against the opposing team's top...

Because of the Ducks' smothering defense, goalie Jonas Hiller didn't have to work very hard. "I've never had that low a shot total against, so definitely we played pretty well defensively," Hiller said Tuesday night after facing only 18 shots in Anaheim's 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings. "They didn't have many good scoring chances at all.