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The Kings are set to take on the visiting Nashville Predators on Thursday night, as they continue a three-game homestand in downtown Los Angeles.
Prior to the All-Star break, there was not much for fans to cheer about in LA. However, with the switch to Jim Hiller as coach, the team seems to have a renewed mindset, along with a 5-1-0 record.
There has been little to no change in personnel or structure. Instead, there has been a focus on confidence and execution. From top to bottom, the group has looked locked in of late, and it has paid off in a big way.
One player who sticks out and has supreme confidence right now is Quinton Byfield. A ‘breakout season’ is a bit of an understatement when talking about the Kings top forward prospect. He has 18 goals so far and a point total of 42 through 52 games played. His plus-minus sits at plus-18 and he has positively contributed to any line he is placed on.
Hiller spoke about Byfield having a “motor” that won’t quit following Tuesday’s game. He’s a player who goes to the hard areas to battle and retrieve pucks. He works hard in the defensive zone and has become incredibly hard to play against in the offensive zone. Byfield is headed toward being an NHL star for a long time. And for any lingering doubters around the league, a replay of his goal a few nights ago. It sure to change a few minds quickly.
Further, Byfield’s growing chemistry with PL Dubois now gives Hiller other options with his line combinations — flexibility now needed since Viktor Arvidsson has been sidelined again and Blake Lizotte is set to return.
How this all impacts the roster and salary cap was discussed yesterday in this article:
Statistically Speaking
— Byfield extended his home point streak (5G, 4A) to a fifth game on Tuesday. By scoring his 18th goal of the season and picking up an assist that night, it gave him his 10th multi-point game of the campaign. That tied him with Wyatt Johnston for the second-most multi-point games this season from a player 21 years old or younger, behind only Lucas Raymond (13).
— Dubois has now tallied six points (3G, 3A) over his last six games.
— With Alex Turcotte in the lineup, LA is 6-1-1 this season.
— This is the final regular season matchup between the Kings and Predators. They have traded wins in the two previous contests, Nashville 2-1 and LA 4-2.
Kings Projected Lineup vs. Predators
Laferriere – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Danault – Fiala
Turcotte – Dubois – Byfield
Lewis – Lizotte – Kaliyev
Anderson – Doughty
Gavrikov – Roy
Englund – Clarke
Rittich (starter)
Talbot
Likely scratches: Anderson-Dolan, Arvidsson
Injured: Copley, Grundstrom, Lizotte (all on LTIR)
Key Game Info
Puck drop is set for 7:30 pm Pacific Time and will be televised by ESPN Plus.
For those live in attendance, the LA Kings Booster Club will offer their popular ‘Puck for a Buck’ contest — featuring Trevor Lewis for this game. Just $1 could win you an autographed puck from an NHL star. Visit their table outside sections 317-318 on the upper concourse for more information.
LA Royal Army, another fan support group, has a booth outside section 303. They do watch parties and other fun activities. Stop by and check them out.
Across the Ice
Nashville is coming off a 5-3 victory against the Golden Knights on Tuesday.
Here’s how they lined up for that one:
Forsberg – O’Reilly – Nyquist
Trenin- Sissons – Glass
Novak – Jankowski – Evangelista
Smith – McCarron – Sherwood
Josi – Fabbro
McDonagh – Schenn
Lauzon- Carrier
Saros
In their last 10 games, the Predators are 4-5-1. As the away team, they’re 15-10-2 this season.
On This Day in Kings History
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