The Los Angeles Kings beat the San Jose Sharks 7-2 on Wednesday night, part of a packed NHL schedule that also produced overtime and late-game wins for Seattle and Ottawa. The results matter for teams jockeying for position in the United States and Canada as the season moves along.

What happened on the ice?

Adrian Kempe led Los Angeles with a hat trick and an assist, and Quinton Byfield added two goals in the rout of San Jose. In Florida, Sandis Vilmanis recorded the first two-goal game of his career, and Sam Reinhart had a goal and two assists as the Panthers beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-3 to close a three-game homestand.

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Two games were far tighter:

  • Matty Beniers scored in overtime and Joey Daccord made 25 saves as the Seattle Kraken beat the Calgary Flames 2-1.
  • Michael Amadio's wrist shot with 3:09 left gave the Ottawa Senators a 2-1 comeback win over the Buffalo Sabres.

Why are off-ice stories drawing attention?

Not all the news came from the scoreboard. Voters in a Dallas suburb rejected a proposition that would have authorized new taxes tied to a planned arena for the Stars, according to the report. The Columbus Blue Jackets placed defenceman Emil Andrae and forward Danton Heinen on waivers, while Winnipeg Jets forward Lambert cleared.

In Ottawa, coach Travis Green told reporters that forward Ridly Greig missed the Sabres game with a lower-body injury and is day-to-day. Green said Greig nearly played.

What else is worth watching?

The Canadiens were still dealing with what was described as an embarrassing collapse against the Jets. William Nylander's season in Toronto has produced points but not enough puck possession, according to TSN's Mark Masters. And the Vegas Golden Knights' trade for Jack Eichel, made on Nov. 4, 2021, has now yielded a Stanley Cup and a gold medal.

FAQ

Who scored the overtime winner for Seattle?

Matty Beniers scored in overtime, and Joey Daccord made 25 saves in the Kraken's 2-1 win over Calgary.

What happened with the Stars arena vote?

Voters in a Dallas suburb rejected a proposition that would have authorized new taxes related to a planned new arena for the Stars.