Kings-Stars: Kopitar gets the hat trick, Kings lead, 4-1
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Anze Kopitar scored twice in the second period to complete the first hat trick of his career and give the Kings a solid 4-1 lead.
A series of penalties called against both teams in the second ultimately resulted in the Kings having a substantial power play, and they capitalized on it at 7:17 for a 3-1 lead.
Dustin Brown controlled the puck along the left-wing boards before passing to Kopitar, who used his strength to cut in front for a short backhander.
Kopitar prompted a cascade of hats and caps at 9:55 when he took a pass from Wayne Simmonds and sliced a backhander toward goalie Alex Auld. The puck appeared to deflect at least once and maybe twice, the second time off Auld’s left arm, before it flipped into the net.
The Stars buzzed around the net during a power play they gained when Kings forward Brad Richardson was sent off for interference at the 12-minute mark but goaltender Jonathan Quick stopped all five shots thrown at him.
More later at www.latimes.com/sports
-- Helene Elliott