Kempe returns with hat trick as Kings beat Sharks 7-2
Adrian Kempe had four points after missing a game through injury, while Artemi Panarin supplied four assists for Los Angeles.
Adrian Kempe scored three times and added an assist Wednesday as Los Angeles defeated San Jose 7-2 at Crypto.com Arena. He was back in the Kings' lineup after an undisclosed injury kept him out against Buffalo on Saturday.
Kempe struck 1:23 into the first period and scored again before the intermission. He finished his hat trick at 15:51 of the second, converting a pass across the slot from Alex Laferriere to extend the lead to 5-1.
Quinton Byfield contributed two power-play goals, and Artemi Panarin finished with four assists. Erik Haula and Joel Armia supplied the other Los Angeles goals. Darcy Kuemper stopped 30 shots.
Kenny Connors earned his first NHL point with the assist on Haula's second-period goal, according to NHL.com. It was his third NHL appearance.
Macklin Celebrini and Ivar Stenberg scored on the power play for San Jose. Yaroslav Askarov made 20 saves as the Sharks suffered their third consecutive loss.
