In a pivotal match, Trevor Moore led the charge with his impressive second career hat trick, propelling the Los Angeles Kings to a decisive 5-2 victory over the Seattle Kraken. This win was not only a rebound from their three-game losing streak, but it also ousted the Kraken from the race for the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Contributions also came from Adrian Kempe and Kevin Fiala, alongside Cam Talbot’s 21 saves for the Kings. With this victory, the LA team edged closer to the Nashville Predators for the prime wild-card position in the Western Conference, thereby erasing memories of their recent lull in performance.
Moore shone particularly brightly, completing his hat trick near the end of the game and showcasing his role as an unexpected leading goal scorer for the team with a personal best of 29 goals this season.
Even after suffering losses in Canada, the Kings remain in a favorable position with a significant lead over St. Louis for the wild-card slot, entering the final stretch of the regular season.
With Pierre-Luc Dubois assisting thrice, the Kings are within striking distance of third place in the Pacific Division, facing a smooth sail ahead with mostly non-playoff challengers left on their schedule.
On the other side, the Seattle Kraken, despite last season’s promising results, failed to replicate that success this year. Key players like Andre Burakovsky and Brian Dumoulin put in efforts, but the overall team performance fell short, landing the Kraken out of playoff contention.
Though Philipp Grubauer made notable stops for Seattle, the team’s lackluster performance throughout the season has been evident with only 31 victories to their name.
The Kings secured their lead early on with Kempe’s power-play goal and continued to press on with Moore’s consecutive goals in the second period. Despite efforts by the Kraken to bridge the gap, the Kings held firm and built upon their lead until the final horn.
Heading into the next games, the Kraken and Kings prepare to face Anaheim and San Jose respectively, continuing their campaigns in opposing directions.
What’s Next?
Kraken: Set to meet Anaheim Ducks on Friday.
Kings: Anticipate a matchup with the San Jose Sharks on Thursday.
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FAQ Section
- How many goals has Trevor Moore scored this season?
- Trevor Moore has scored 29 goals this season, surpassing his previous career high by 12 goals.
- Are the LA Kings in a good position for the playoffs?
- Yes, the LA Kings are close to the top wild-card spot in the Western Conference and have a solid lead over the St. Louis for the second wild-card position.
- Will the Seattle Kraken make the playoffs this year?
- No, the Seattle Kraken have been eliminated from playoff contention following the loss to the LA Kings.
- Who scored the goals for the Kraken in their recent game against the Kings?
- Andre Burakovsky and Brian Dumoulin scored the goals for the Seattle Kraken.
- What is the LA Kings’ next game?
- The LA Kings are scheduled to play against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday following their victory over the Kraken.
Conclusion
The Los Angeles Kings have asserted their presence in the Western Conference with a critical win over the Seattle Kraken, spurred by Trevor Moore’s exceptional hat trick. While the Kings aim to maintain momentum heading deeper into the playoff race, the Kraken face the end of their journey this season. The focus now turns to the Kings’ upcoming fixtures as they strive to secure their playoff berth.