LOS ANGELES — The Kings’ 1-0 overtime victory over the Nashville Predators on Saturday pushed their home record to an incredible 23-3-4, and that bodes well since 11 of their final 17 games will be at Crypto.com Arena. It also kept them ahead of the Edmonton Oilers in the battle for second place in the Pacific Division, which matters for home-ice advantage if the annual Oilers-Kings playoff series goes down.
“Obviously we want to get as high as we can get,” Kings defenseman Mikey Anderson said. “Every game, we’re trying to treat it like it’s a must-win. We need to keep finding ways to get two points and if maybe you don’t have your best, find a way to at least get one and hopefully get the extra.”
Strong play at home has been a consistent storyline all season. The story that’s still developing is 22-year-old Quinton Byfield, who has now scored a goal in six consecutive games.
In overtime on Saturday, Byfield, who is playing like he’s ready to take the throne as the Kings’ next No. 1 center, nearly won the game when he rang a shot off the post. Later, after Adrian Kempe busted through Jakub Vrana’s check attempt, Byfield moved into position for a return pass and got it. A quick flick of his wrist put the puck by Nashville Predators goalie Justus Annunen for Byfield’s third overtime winner this season.
“Juice is flying down the wing, using his size and skill to make that play,” Byfield said, “and I just had to put my stick on the ice.”
Byfield’s streak is a major accomplishment after four years of patient development, which has included lengthy stretches in which he had a tough time getting his shots off, had trouble with his accuracy — or lacked confidence in it — or simply couldn’t get a favorable bounce.
Byfield doesn’t just have a hot stick — it’s blazing right now. He’s up to 17 goals, which makes a second consecutive 20-goal season very possible. More importantly, he’s scored in each game during the Kings’ current five-game win streak following an 0-3-2 spell. His six-game goal streak is the longest by a Kings player since 1993 when Luc Robitaille scored in 10 straight.
“I’m just trying to play how I always play,” Byfield said. “Right now, I just feel like I’m just finding the back of the net. Getting some bounces. That one wasn’t the cleanest shot but just squeaks through. When it goes in, it just kind of goes (on).”
Anderson said he felt Byfield took big strides last season when he broke out with 20 goals and 35 assists. His success came playing on the top line as the left wing with Kempe on the right and Anze Kopitar as their center.
This year is different. Other than occasional shifts with his former linemates, Byfield has played center from the beginning and has Kevin Fiala and Alex Laferriere as his wingers. They’ve formed an effective trio, with Byfield and Fiala particularly creating some chemistry. Finding the right fit for Fiala hasn’t been easy, but the two have been in sync.
That’s been important for the Kings. The importance will only grow in the postseason. Part of the Kings’ failure to beat the Oilers in the last three first rounds is that they’ve been unable to keep Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl from imposing their will over a series, especially on power plays. But another part is not having the kind of top-of-the-lineup difference-makers who can match them.
Depth and balance are admirable qualities to have. But it never hurts to have a game-changer. Kings coach Jim Hiller has now taken to starting Byfield for overtime sessions. “Speed is important in overtime with all that ice,” Hiller said. “No matter how many minutes ‘Q’ gets, he just doesn’t slow down. He’s got an engine.”
Byfield is evolving into a matchup center Hiller is increasingly comfortable putting out against top forward lines. Anderson said he’s seen the improvements made defensively to where he’s “much harder to play against.” The run of goals that began in a shootout loss to St. Louis and continued with an OT score in the next game against the Blues now has him soaring at both ends of the rink.
“I think the confidence, you can see it,” he said. “Just the way he moves out there. He touches the puck. He wants it on his stick. He makes some plays. Yeah, he’s been really fun to watch and someone we’re going to want to have keep going in that direction. It’s awesome.”
In the shadow of Byfield’s rise is the consistently excellent play Darcy Kuemper is giving the Kings in net. Kuemper got his 200th career win by stopping all 24 shots for his second consecutive shutout after blanking the Capitals on Thursday. He’s authoring quite the comeback season after a rough 2023-24 in Washington. Kuemper is 21-8-7 with stellar top-five numbers in save percentage (.919) and goals-against average (2.14).
When asked if he could have anticipated Kuemper playing so well that he’s among the top goalies in the NHL statistically, Hiller said, “No. I’ll be honest with you.”
“I thought he’d give us solid goaltending,” he continued. “But he’s had an exceptional season so far. I don’t know if anybody could have saw this coming. But he’s been great.”
The playoffs are a different story, and the Kings need players to step up as difference-makers to write a different story. Kuemper will need to be better than Cam Talbot and David Rittich were in last season’s five-game loss to Edmonton. And the Kings need skaters in front of Kuemper to turn the tide against the Oilers, who are led by Hart Trophy candidate Draisaitl but look more vulnerable than the team that got to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Byfield could be that kind of difference-maker. On Saturday, he was.
“Somebody can decide when he hits the threshold on that,” the Kings coach added. “I think he’s been a difference maker for us for some time.”
(Photo of Quinton Byfield: Jessica Alcheh / Imagn Images)
