In a hat trick performance from winger Mikko Rantanen, the Colorado Avalanche beat the Los Angeles Kings 4-2. The ninth hat trick of his career, Rantanen’s final goal came with just under two minutes to go on an empty net.
Rantanen’s second goal of the night, which would ultimately be the game-decider, came at the halfway point in the third period. After a long board battle, Rantanen handled a loose puck and put a shot five hole in between LA backup goaltender Dave Rittich’s pads.
Rantanen’s first goal was on a breakaway after a brilliant pass from defenseman Cale Makar. Rantanen went forehand-backhand before putting it pipe-and-in to tie the game 2-2.
Colorado’s first goal of the game came off of an original Rantanen shot before winger Artturi Lehkonen slammed home the open rebound.
Despite catching a loss in the game, the Kings opened up the scoring only 30 seconds in. On an odd play, winger Adrian Kempe knocked in his sixth goal of the season from the goal line. He found his seventh of the season later in the period after a pass from captain Anze Kopitar. This was all the damage that Los Angeles could do in the game, and could not hold on to their lead in the remaining two periods of play.
A bad sign for the future of Kings goaltending, Rittich was put in early in the third period after starter Darcy Kuemper left due to an injury. Before leaving, Kuemper tallied 18 saves, which combined with Rittich’s four for 22 saves between the two netminders.
The Kings will look to bounce back on Saturday at home against the Detroit Red Wings at 5 p.m.