Fukufuji loses in first start for Kings

ATLANTA — While Yutaka Fukufuji kept making history, Marian Hossa gladly settled for another hat trick.

Hossa scored three goals for the second time this season, leading the Atlanta Thrashers to a 6-2 victory over the Kings on Tuesday night and ruining Fukufuji’s first start.

Fukufuji, the first Japanese-born player in the NHL, was lifted less than two minutes into the second period after Jim Slater’s deflection gave the Thrashers a 3-1 lead.

“It was pretty bad,” said Fukufuji, who stopped six of nine shots. “I can play better.”

The loss, combined with Columbus’ victory over Chicago, left the Kings (16-26-6) in last place in the Western Conference with 38 points. Only the Philadelphia Flyers (26) have fewer points in the league.

The Kings closed to 3-2 when Tom Kostopoulos scored just over two minutes into the third period. But Hossa, who will represent the Thrashers at the All-Star game next week, found the net two more times.

“This feels good,” said Hossa, who has 29 goals. “We finally made it easy on ourselves.”

Shane Hnidy scored first for Atlanta, 19 seconds after Alexander Frolov put the Kings ahead at 1:31 of the opening period. Glen Metropolit had the other goal for the Thrashers.

Kari Lehtonen turned aside 28 shots for first-place Atlanta, which won its second in a row after a five-game losing streak. The Kings have lost five in a row.

Fukufuji, recalled from the minors after the Kings’ top two goalies went down with injuries, played the third period of a 6-5 loss to St. Louis on Saturday.

Barry Brust replaced Fukufuji Tuesday and stopped 17 of 20 shots but let the game get out of hand in the closing minutes. The Thrashers scored three times in the last 6:56 against the Kings, who have surrendered an NHL-worst 176 goals.

“That’s just the way it’s been going,” forward Craig Conroy said. “We give up a lot of goals ... and there’s nothing we can do about it.”

Despite his rough outing, Fukufuji said he hoped to be an inspiration to other Japanese players. “It’s my dream,” he said. “I’ve watched on TV since I was 9 or 10 years old. I’m here now.”