Blackhawks show ultimate class to Kings' Anze Kopitar after 6-0 loss Saturday

Despite the beat-down, the Blackhawks stayed on the ice and lined up to shake hands with veteran Anze Kopitar.

Kopitar has recently announced that he will retire at the end of this NHL season.

The Kings erupted with three goals in both the second and third periods, powered by a red-hot night from forwards including Brandt Clarke, Mikey Anderson, and Alex Turcotte. Goaltender Darcy Kuemper stopped all 23 shots for his second shutout of the season.

Chicago's night went sideways fast. The Kings finally broke through early in the second period and never looked back. The loss killed the momentum the Blackhawks had built just two nights earlier in a 2-1 win over the same Kings.

It meant something to see the Hawks stand there after a 6-0 drubbing and give Kopitar his props. In a brutal loss, it could've been easy to skate off and forget the moment. Instead the players stayed put, acknowledged a legend, and showed heart. As a fan, I felt some pride in that.

Kopitar's career speaks for itself: two Stanley Cups, countless seasons of consistency, and leadership that few match.
Whether you hated the loss or accepted it as a lesson, this moment reminded everyone why respect matters in hockey.

The game stings, but that moment after changed the vibe. Hawks may have lost the scoreboard, but they didn't lose humanity.