Trevor Moore netted three goals, securing his second hat trick of his career, as the Los Angeles Kings halted their three-game losing streak and dashed Seattle’s hopes for a playoff spot with a 5-2 triumph over the Kraken on Wednesday night.
Alongside Moore’s stellar performance, Adrian Kempe and Kevin Fiala also found the net, while Cam Talbot made 21 saves for the Kings. The victory brings them within striking distance of the top wild-card position in the Western Conference, trailing Nashville by just one point.
Despite recent setbacks in Canada, the Kings maintain a five-point lead over St. Louis for the second wild card, with seven games left in the regular season.
Reflecting on the win, Moore acknowledged the importance of the game for the team, especially after a challenging road trip. His hat trick, including two crucial goals in the second period, solidified the victory for the Kings.
Moore’s remarkable season-leading 29 goals has been a surprising highlight, surpassing his previous career best and outscoring many of his highly regarded teammates.
Pierre-Luc Dubois contributed three assists to the Kings’ victory, further boosting their position in the Pacific Division. With just one playoff-bound opponent remaining in their final seven games, the Kings are determined to maintain their momentum and secure a strong finish to the season.
Kraken’s Andre Burakovsky and Brian Dumoulin managed to score in the third period, but it wasn’t enough to salvage their playoff hopes. Despite their remarkable debut last year, the Kraken will miss the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. Goalkeeper Philipp Grubauer made 22 saves for Seattle, who now have 31 wins this season with seven games remaining.
