Rantanen scores ninth career hat trick, Avalanche beat Kings 4-2

Avalanche's Mikko Rantanen scored his ninth career hat trick. He helped Colorado beat Los Angeles 4-2.

Rantanen put Colorado ahead 1-0 with a power-play goal in the first period. He then made it 2-0 with a goal early in the second period. Rantanen completed his hat trick with an empty-net goal in the final minute of the game.

Nazem Kadri also scored for Colorado. Darcy Kuemper made 24 saves.

Adrian Kempe and Trevor Moore scored for Los Angeles. Cal Petersen made 35 saves.

The Avalanche improved to 40-14-6. They are first in the NHL's Central Division.

The Kings fell to 31-27-7. They are fifth in the Pacific Division.

Rantanen's performance was a big reason for the Avalanche's victory.

He was a threat every time he touched the puck. He created several scoring chances for himself and his teammates.

Rantanen's hat trick was his first of the season. It was also his first hat trick since March 2021.

Rantanen is one of the most dangerous players in the NHL.

He is a skilled skater with a great shot. He is also very good at creating scoring chances for himself and his teammates.

Rantanen is a big part of the Avalanche's success. He is a key player on one of the best teams in the NHL.

The Avalanche are one of the best teams in the NHL.

They have a lot of talented players, including Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Gabriel Landeskog.

The Avalanche are a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. They have a good chance of winning the Stanley Cup this year.