Avalanche Defeat Kraken 5-2, Joel Kiviranta Nets Hat Trick

The Colorado Avalanche secure their third straight win as the Seattle Kraken drop their fifth consecutive game before the holiday break.

Joel Kiviranta scored a natural hat trick, including two empty-net goals, setting new career highs in goals and points for the season.
Seattle's Kaapo Kakko scored his first goal since being traded from the New York Rangers, briefly giving the Kraken a 2-1 lead in the second period.
Valeri Nichushkin tied the game just 11 seconds after Kakko's goal, marking his fourth consecutive game with a goal for Colorado.
Colorado's Mackenzie Blackwood made 17 saves, including a critical stop on a Jaden Schwartz breakaway, improving to 3-1 since joining the Avalanche.
The Avalanche have now won seven of their last nine games and head into the holiday break six games above .500, while the Kraken sit seven points out of a playoff spot.