Kempe’s Hat Trick Sends 3rd-Place Kings Past NHL-Worst Ducks

John Gibson (36) of the Anaheim Ducks covers the puck as Blake Lizotte (46) of the Los Angeles Kings is knocked off balance by Cam Fowler (4) during the first period at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., on April 13, 2023. Harry How/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Adrian Kempe had three goals and an assist and the Los Angeles Kings clinched third place in the Pacific Division on Thursday night, April 13, with a 5–3 victory over the Anaheim Ducks, who will have the best odds in the draft lottery after finishing with the NHL’s worst record.

Captain Anze Kopitar scored a first-period goal that made him Los Angeles’ leading scorer for the 15th time in the last 16 seasons, while Kempe and Trevor Moore scored 49 seconds apart in the second period of the 159th regular-season edition of the Freeway Faceoff.