Kopitar even better second time around

If the NHL had an award for the league’s best second-year player, Anze Kopitar probably would be on the ballot.

Kopitar, 20, showed his skills again Saturday afternoon against the Dallas Stars, scoring a third-period goal and in the shootout to help the Kings to a 4-3 victory at Staples Center. The goal in regulation was his 18th of the season, increasing his team-leading point total to 42.

He had a solid rookie season as well, but was not named one of three finalists for the Calder Trophy, which goes to the league’s best first-year player.

“I thought last year he got snubbed,” Coach Marc Crawford said. “I think he’s the one from last year who has continued to excel all year.”

Kopitar began this season with 12 points in the first nine games and has remained consistent; his longest scoreless streak has been three games.

While having dinner Wednesday night, he found out that someone actually has been watching. General Manager Dean Lombardi called to inform Kopitar that he’d been selected to play in the NHL All-Star game Jan. 27 in Atlanta.

It’s a distinction that he won’t take lightly.

“If you think of it, it’s probably the 40 best players in the world for that game,” Kopitar said. “To be one of them, it’s really an honor.”

Kopitar is the youngest of the 42 All-Stars, 17 days younger than Sidney Crosby of Pittsburgh and 20 months younger than West teammate Paul Stastny of Colorado.

Stastny, who has 16 goals and 46 points this season, is the only Calder Trophy finalist from last season selected to the All-Star game. The other finalists were Calder winner Evgeni Malkin of Pittsburgh, who has 20 goals and 49 points this season, and teammate Jordan Staal, who has five goals and 13 points.

“I’m sure it probably really hasn’t hit him yet,” linemate Patrick O’Sullivan said of Kopitar. “He’s a good player, he deserves to be there.”

The Kings’ second-youngest player, defenseman Jack Johnson, turned 21 on Sunday, a scheduled day off for the Kings.

Crawford said Johnson has been benefiting from playing alongside Rob Blake, 38, the Kings’ oldest and most experienced player.

“It’s a joy to watch them as a pair,” Crawford said. “He’s going to benefit a great deal from having played with Rob Blake.

“A coach can always points things out, but it’s so much stronger when it’s reinforced by a veteran player.”

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dan.arritt@latimes.com