The San Jose Sharks lost 7-2 to the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena, NHL.com reported. Adrian Kempe had a hat trick and an assist in his return from illness.
Kempe scored 1:23 into the game and again later in the first period. Quinton Byfield scored twice on the power play, Artemi Panarin had four assists and Darcy Kuemper made 30 saves. Macklin Celebrini and Ivar Stenberg scored power-play goals for San Jose, and Yaroslav Askarov made 20 saves.
The Sharks (7-9-1) have lost three straight and five of six, and have been outscored 24-11 over the past six games, according to NHL.com. They held a players-only meeting after the game.
"We don't deserve any praise right now," forward Kiefer Sherwood told reporters, Sportsnet reported. Captain Celebrini said, "We're frustrated. We're not happy with the way we're playing." Coach Ryan Warsofsky said the team is "just a little off."
San Jose plays the Minnesota Wild on Friday.