Kings rout Sharks 7-2 with Kempe hat trick

Adrian Kempe scored three goals and added an assist as the Los Angeles Kings defeated the San Jose Sharks 7-2 on Wednesday night. Quinton Byfield also tallied two goals for the visitors. The final score capped a decisive victory for Los Angeles in the California matchup.

Kempe opened the scoring just 1:23 into the game. He added a second goal before the first intermission, helping the Kings build a 3-0 lead. He completed his hat trick with a power-play goal with 4:09 remaining in the second period. The Kings converted three of their five power-play chances during the contest.

Erik Haula and Joel Armia provided the remaining goals for Los Angeles. Darcy Kuemper stopped 30 shots to earn the win. Artemi Panarin recorded four assists. Kempe returned to the lineup after missing the 3-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday due to an undisclosed injury.

The performance marked Kempe's 37th multi-goal game with the franchise. That total moved him past Dustin Brown for sole possession of ninth place in Kings history. It was a productive night for the veteran forward who had been sidelined briefly.

The Sharks managed two power-play goals, scored by Macklin Celebrini and Ivar Stenberg. Yaroslav Askarov made 20 saves for San Jose. Erik Gustafsson assisted on both goals for the visitors. The loss extends San Jose's losing streak to three games.

Eric Pohlkamp made his NHL debut in the game. The defenseman was called up from the AHL before the puck dropped. The Sharks will visit the Minnesota Wild on Friday night. The Kings will host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night.