COLUMBUS, Ohio — Alexander Frolov scored three goals in the opening 12:35 — on a power play, at even strength and short-handed — and Craig Conroy also had a hat trick to lead the Los Angeles Kings to an 8-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday.
Conroy added two assists and Frolov had one. Eric Belanger and Michael Cammalleri also scored goals for the Kings, who have earned points in four straight games and six of seven.
Conroy's five points, Frolov's four and Pavol Demitra's four assists — all in the first period — were career highs for each player.
It was Frolov's first career hat trick, coming in a span of 8:18 in the opening period as Los Angeles rolled to a 5-0 lead.
Conroy had three goals in a game for the second time in his career.
The Blue Jackets' Todd Marchant scored his third goal in three games and Jason Chimera also had a goal.
The Kings came in with the third-best record in the Western Conference, while the Blue Jackets were next-to-last and had scored fewer goals (32) than any NHL team. Columbus has lost six of seven and continues to founder without leading scorer Rick Nash, out until mid-December with a sprained knee.
After a turnover by Marchant, Frolov made it 2-0 on a one-timer off a drop pass from Demitra at 4:17.
With the Kings on a power play, Demitra tossed a cross-ice pass to Conroy. His shot hit the skate of defenseman Radoslav Suchy and bounced to Frolov, who one-timed the puck past goaltender Martin Prusek.
That gave the Kings a 3-0 lead on only five shots.
STARS 3, MIGHTY DUCKS 1: At Anaheim, Philippe Boucher and Jere Lehtinen scored 50 seconds apart in the first period, leading Dallas over Anaheim.
Bill Guerin added a goal shortly after an injury to Mighty Ducks goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere.