By MICHAEL KELLY The Associated Press
DENVER — Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper left with an undisclosed injury early in the third period, and the Kings lost to the Colorado Avalanche, 4-2, on Wednesday night.
Mikko Rantanen scored twice in the third period to complete his ninth career hat trick for Colorado. Rantanen’s goal at 10:01 of the third gave Colorado the lead 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.
Kuemper made 18 saves before leaving 5:19 into the final frame. David Rittich came into the game in relief and was under siege early, allowing Rantanen’s go-ahead goal. 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.
The Kings did not record a shot on goal in the second period, tying an NHL record for fewest shots in a period. The Kings had their first shot in more than 23 minutes at 55 seconds of the third period.
The go-ahead goal came when 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.
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The Avalanche power play struggled all night, failing to record a shot on goal in their first three man-advantage opportunities.
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 at 5 p.m.