Richardson's Hat Trick Lifts Kings Over Avalanche

DENVER (AP) — Brad Richardson had three goals, including a tiebreaking short-handed tally late in the third period, and the Los Angeles Kings beat Colorado 6-4 on Saturday night in a matchup of the two youngest teams in the NHL.

Alexei Ponikarovsky, Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown also scored to help the Kings win for the fourth time in five games. Paul Stastny and Milan Hejduk each scored twice for the Avalanche.

Richardson's winner was set up when Craig Anderson wandered too far out to play a loose puck as the Kings were attempting to kill a 5-minute major penalty on Wayne Simmonds.

Jarret Stoll stopped Anderson's clear attempt, dishing the puck to a wide open Richardson. He later capped off his first career hat trick with a wrist shot to seal the win.

Jonathan Quick had 28 saves for the Kings.

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