Kempe's OT goal pushes Kings past slumping Stars 3-2

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DALLAS (AP) — Adrian Kempe scored 37 seconds into overtime and the Los Angeles Kings beat Dallas 3-2 on Thursday night, handing the slumping Stars their fourth consecutive loss.

Darcy Kuemper made 29 saves, and former Stars Corey Perry and Cody Ceci also scored as the Kings won in regulation for the first time this season.

Wyatt Johnston and Jason Robertson scored power-play goals for the Stars, and Johnston also had an assist. Jake Oettinger stopped 22 shots.

Kempe scored from the slot on a pass from Quinton Byfield on the Kings’ only rush of overtime.

It was Kempe's second straight overtime winner — following Tuesday night's 2-1 win at St. Louis — and it came on Byfield’s second assist of the game.

The Stars have dropped four straight before New Year’s for the first time since Oct. 25-Nov. 2, 2021.

The 40-year-old Perry, who played for Dallas in 2019-20, knocked home a rebound at the crease for the game’s first goal late in the first period 22 seconds into a 35-second five-on-three power play.

Only 1:29 after Robertson tied the score 1-1 early in the second period, Ceci put the Kings back ahead with a slap shot redirected off the stick of Dallas’ Mavrik Bourque. Ceci was acquired by Dallas last February from San Jose and left for L.A. in free agency last summer.

Johnston’s team-high fifth goal of the season tied the score 2-2 early in the third period.

The Kings had a deflection goal by Alex Laferriere midway through the second disallowed after a video review determined his stick was too high.

Dallas’ Roope Hintz had two assists.

Stars: Will end a three-game homestand vs. Carolina on Saturday night.

Kings: Play the middle game of a five-game road trip at Nashville.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl