By MICHAEL KELLY The Associated Press

DENVER — Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper left with an undisclosed injury early in the third period and the Kings lost to the Colorado Avalanche 4-2 on Wednesday night.

Mikko Rantanen scored twice in the third period to complete his ninth career triple for Colorado. Rantanen’s goal at 10:01 of the third gave Colorado the lead and he added an empty-net goal with 1:59 left for his second hat trick of the season. Artturi Lehkonen scored and Alexandar Georgiev made 13 saves for the Avalanche.

Nathan MacKinnon, who had three assists, has at least one point in 16 of 17 games this season and all 10 home games.

Kuemper made 18 saves before leaving with 5:19 left in the final frame. David Rittich entered the game in relief and was under siege early, allowing Rantanen to score. Rittich finished with three saves.

Adrian Kempe had two goals, including one 32 seconds into the game, for the Kings. Lehkonen tied it at 3:40 of the first period, but Kempe scored again off a Colorado turnover with 4:09 left in the opening period.

Rantanen tied it with 3:53 left in the second.

The Kings did not register a shot on goal in the second period, tying an NHL record for fewest shots in a period. The Kings had their first shot in more than 23 minutes 55 seconds into the third period.

The goal came when Logan O’Connor fought off two Kings players along the boards before MacKinnon scooped the puck back to Rantanen, who beat Rittich.