Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, front, collects the puck with Los Angeles Kings right wing Adrian Kempe in pursuit in the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov. 134, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
DENVER (AP) — Mikko Rantanen scored twice in the third period to complete his ninth career hat trick, and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Los Angeles Kings 4-2 on Wednesday night.
Rantanen’s goal at 10:01, his second of the night, gave Colorado the lead in the third and he added an empty-net goal with 1:59 remaining for his second hat trick of the season. Artturi Lehkonen also scored and Alexandar Georgiev made 13 saves for the Avalanche.
Nathan MacKinnon, who had three assists, has at least one point in 16 of 17 games this season and all 10 home games.
Los Angeles goaltender Darcy Kuemper made 18 saves before leaving early in the third period with an apparent injury. David Rittich finished with three saves.
Adrian Kempe had two goals, including one 32 seconds into the game, for the Kings. Lehkonen tied it at 3:40 of the first period but Kempe scored again off of a Colorado turnover with 4:09 remaining in the opening period.
Rantanen tied it with 3:53 left in the second second.
Takeaways
Kings: Did not record a shot on goal in the second period. Kevin Fiala’s breakaway shot that rang off the right post midway through and then Los Angeles had its first shot in more than 23 minutes at 55 seconds of the third.
Avalanche: The power play struggled all night. Colorado didn’t have a shot on goal in its first three man-advantages and had trouble generating any momentum.
Key moment
Logan O’Connor battled two Kings players along the boards before MacKinnon dug out the puck and backhanded it to Rantanen, and he beat Rittich to put Colorado ahead.
Key stat
Jared Bednar coached in his 635th game with the Avalanche, breaking a tie with Michel Bergeron for the most in franchise history.
Up next
The Kings host Detroit on Saturday, and Avalanche host Washington on Friday to finish a four-game homestand.
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, left, confers with center Casey Mittelstadt in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings Wednesday, Nov. 134, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Kings right wing Alex Laferriere, left, pursues the puck with Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev skates around the net during a time out in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Kings left wing Kevin Fiala, left, avoids Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev after he stopped a shot off Fiala's stick in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson, front, collects the puck as Los Angeles Kings center Trevor Lewis pursues in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Kings right wing Alex Laferriere, center, collects the puck as Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, left, and defenseman Cale Makar cover in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, front, redirects a shot past Los Angeles Kings right wing Quinton Byfield, center, as goaltender Darcy Kuemper makes a save in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jordan Spence, left, fights for control of the puck with Colorado Avalanche right wing Logan O'Connor in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Kings right wing Quinton Byfield, center, drives between Colorado Avalanche left wing Joel Kiviranta, left, and center Parker Kelly in pursuit of the puck in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Kings right wing Adrian Kempe is congratulated as he passes the team box after scoring a goal against the Colorado Avalanche in the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov. 134, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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