Game Day Thread
Game #50/82 -- 02/13/24
> 4:00 PM <
on BSW
Los Angeles Kings @ Buffalo Sabres
KeyBank Center | Buffalo, NY
Previous Meeting
01/24/24 -- Sabres 5, Kings 3
**Game Time 4:00PM Pacific**
TV:**BSW**
Radio: LA Kings iHeartRadio app
Please remember, DO NOT post links to Live Game Streams in the GDT or anywhere else on LGK
Check Out More Articles & Video on LA Kings Insider Here
Byfield, Dubois, & Rittich 2/10/24 Post-Game Quotes:
Quinton Byfield
On the importance of coming out of the break with a victory
It was a really big win for our team. In recent years, they’ve knocked us out of the playoffs twice, so that’s a big win for us, coming off the coaching change as well. I think we all played for each other tonight, I think all had a lot of fun and it was a big win for us.
On making a strong defensive play to lead into his assist on the team’s second goal
Yeah, I think playing defense is very important, I think it’s kind of built into our identity as well. We’ve got a lot of two-way guys who really care about the defensive end, so I was just trying to do my part contribute on that side. I think the puck kind of flipped off, I kind of lost it and then I saw it, I think it was Connor who had it there and I just tried to make a quick stick check before he got around me, it ended up working out. I got the puck, I saw Lewie flying down other side and I wanted to reward him for his good effort there and just tried to make the pass over to him, it was an unbelievable finish by him. Even last game in Nashville too unbelievable finishes.
On any sort of a different message from Jim Hiller since he’s assumed the head-coaching role
Todd was really good, just for myself, he’s a great hockey mind and I’m sure he’s going to get another coaching opportunity, but it was just, we needed a little spark in here, something new, a different voice. Todd, he was amazing to me and my career, he built it, so much respect on that end. Jimmy came in here, took us over, he showed great leadership as a coach. As you saw out there, we’re playing for each other, we’re blocking shots, Ritter played unbelievable. So, we’re all behind him right now and that’s the vibe we need.
Pierre-Luc Dubois
On tonight’s performance and coming out of the break with a big win
We’ve been through ups and downs, but it’s time to have fun again, it’s fun to come to the rink with a smile on our faces. Excited to get back on the ice for practice, excited to get back on the ice for games. We’re together, there’s no doubt in here. The last 20 games haven’t been the way we’ve wanted them to go, but there’s no absolutely no doubt in here. We know what kind of team we have and when we play together and when we do what we can do, we’re a hell of a team and we showed that tonight.
On his performance tonight and his challenge in coming back off the break
Coming back from a break, I think I probably lost 12 pounds tonight. Yeah, it’s never easy. We went on the ice two or three times to get back but the coaching staff here, the first day I got back, they challenged me, they challenged me to be a better player out there and to be a difference maker. That can come with scoring goals, assists but it could also come with hits, drawing penalties, all the the things that maybe not everybody notices. Since they’ve come in, their message is that I can do a lot better and I knew that, but to have it laid out like that, it’s a fun challenge to do.
On not only maintaining a lead tonight but building upon the lead with the third goal
Yeah, it was huge. I’ve heard the three-goal lead is the worst lead in hockey, but a two-goal lead or a one-goal lead is a lot worse than that. To get that third goal, Ritter was playing so well for us, and kept it at a two-goal game. That third goal, I think, changes everything. Then they pull the goalie with, five, six minutes left and their top guys are out there for the last four minutes of the game. They’re great players, but anybody playing a four-minute shift is tired at the end of it. So, that changed everything. I’m not going to lie, everybody on the bench was a little scared at the end for the fourth one, but they got it done and then that was pretty much game over.
David Rittich
On the team’s confidence proving itself in tonight’s win
I know the guys were buzzing and we know we’re a good hockey team, we know that. We just went through a tough stretch and sometimes it’s hard. It’s just like, finally we’re back again, and again, you’re working and can find a way to win. We never lost faith or trust in ourselves, we know we’re good players, a good hockey club, and we can win.
On the performance of the penalty kill in tonight’s win, against a strong PP unit
Yeah, since being up here, the penalty kill has been awesome, so it’s never changed and I don’t think it’s going to change. The guys do an unbelievable job of blocking the shots, taking care of backdoors and making they are making it easier for me.
Subject to Change
Lineups Courtesy of DailyFaceoff.com
SABRES PROBABLE LINEUP
NO Former Kings
___________________________________________________________________________________
GOALIE COMPARISON
Last 5 games
PACIFIC DIVISION STANDINGS
*VBookie BETTING THREAD HERE*
**Today’s Poll Question**
How many goals will be scored by both teams combined in each regulation period?
You can take 1 guess per period,
1 point for each correct guess
(so 3 points available if you get all 3 periods correct)
Take your best guesses in your post below
the only Prize is the glory of seeing your name in the next GDT if you get it right.
PREVIOUS GAME’S WINNERS
Congratulations to the following posters who correctly guessed Englund would get the first Kings penalty out of the break and/or that there would be within +/-2 of 52 combined shots recorded:
Englund (1 point):
Rog or Reg?
Madness20721
VCRW
Rusty
forum gold
Cross Traffic
Angel Eyes
waynet
SirJW
51,53 (2 points):
TooCool
50,54 (1 point):
jammer06
King of the Mountain with 37 points - forum gold
35 points = Angel Eyes
34 points = hornman
33 points = notbob
30 points = Nyssa42
29 points = Cross Traffic, SirJW
28 points = mugs, Rusty, VegasHockey
27 points = beady eye, Randdog
26 points = jammer06, puckoff, VCRW
25 points = Jerram, KernCoKingsFan
24 points = Chateau Bow Wow, Dr Tran, Guinevere, katydid213, Shackleford
23 points =
22 points = DRice, Rogie-Vachon
21 points = clif, Kurisu
20 points = empire
19 points = Byron, , pray4mojo, Rinkrat
18 points = DRGinLBC, Liz4LA, Rog or Reg?, TooCool, waynet
17 points = CIrvine, dannybuoy1, JayWells24, KHenry14
16 points = Madness20721
15 points =
14 points = Bill Hicks, hihocarp, Salty Puck
13 points = Drums4Pigs
12 points = sonnyboy11
11 points = symbology
10 points = Sevenhole
9 points =
8 points = cokingsfan, Ice24, JETS GARAGE
7 points = rfischer
6 points = Busted Chops, fake_it_make_it
5 points = Dexter
4 points = beedee
3 points = HiFi
2 points = Ragbone
1 point = JC6388LAKings, PuckMaster, STONE
photos courtesy of LA Kings on X
