The Los Angeles Kings picked up a gritty 3-2 overtime win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday, thanks to a pair of early goals from Adrian Kempe and a clutch finish from Quinton Byfield in the extra frame. With the victory, the Kings improved to 3-1-0 on their East Coast road trip and gave interim head coach Jim Hiller another solid performance to build on.
Let’s break it down.
Fast Start, Mid-Game Stall
The Kings came out flying in the first period, with Kempe striking twice to give LA an early cushion. Veteran Corey Perry played a key role in both goals, showing off his playmaking touch and veteran savvy in the offensive zone. That early chemistry between Perry, Kempe, and Alex Laferriere gave the Flyers trouble from the jump.
But as Hiller pointed out postgame, that hot start may have lulled the Kings into a bit of a false sense of security. Philadelphia responded with goals in the second and third periods to even things up, shifting the momentum and forcing LA to dig back in.
“We started really well, so it’s a blessing and a curse sometimes,” Hiller said. “You think, ‘Oh, this is going to be easy.’ Then you get on your heels, they start pushing-and of course, they’re going to push.”
To their credit, the Kings responded. They weathered the push, re-engaged physically, and found a way to get the game back on their terms when it mattered most.
Byfield Steps Up in Overtime
Quinton Byfield delivered the dagger in overtime, sniping Flyers goalie Dan Vladar with a shot that showcased the kind of offensive upside the Kings have been waiting to see from him more consistently.
“Shoot the puck, kid,” Hiller said with a smile. “Just a really nice finish. He had one earlier coming down the pipe and missed high and wide, but that one-far side, perfect.”
It’s the kind of goal that makes you wonder what’s next for Byfield. He’s flashed this kind of ability before-Hiller referenced a similar short-side goal against Anaheim-but the Kings would love to see him tap into that shooter’s mentality on a more regular basis. Saturday’s game-winner was a reminder of just how dangerous he can be when he’s aggressive with the puck.
Kempe’s Consistency and Line Chemistry
Kempe’s two-goal performance was another example of his ability to be a difference-maker, especially when he's playing with confidence. His line, flanked by Perry and Laferriere, has been buzzing lately-and Hiller has taken notice.
“That line has been dangerous,” Hiller said. “Laf’s skating through the middle, Perry’s strong in the O-zone, found him on that second goal. It’s working.”
The coaching staff made a deliberate decision not to break up that line when Anze Kopitar returned to the lineup, instead easing Kopi back in and letting the chemistry between Kempe, Perry, and Laferriere continue to build. So far, it’s paying off.
In-Game Adjustments Pay Off
Midway through the game, Hiller made a key adjustment, shuffling the forward lines to try and spark more balanced play. The trio of Byfield, Andrei Kuzmenko, and Kevin Fiala wasn’t clicking, and Hiller wasn’t shy about making changes.
“I didn’t like the way that line was playing,” Hiller said. “It wasn’t about the fourth line-it was more about that group. The style of the game didn’t fit them at that moment, so we tried to balance it out.”
Enter Taylor Ward and Kuzmenko into new roles, and the Kings found a little more stability down the stretch. The tweaks helped LA regain some of the edge they’d lost, and ultimately, it set the stage for Byfield’s overtime heroics.
Wrapping It Up
This wasn’t a perfect game for the Kings. They let a two-goal lead slip, had a goal called back on an offside, and had to grind through stretches where the Flyers carried the play. But they found a way to win-on the road, in overtime, against a tough opponent.
And that’s the kind of win that can build momentum.
With three wins in four games on this road trip, Hiller’s squad is starting to find its identity again. The chemistry is coming together.
The young talent is stepping up. And the veterans are doing what they’re supposed to do-lead, produce, and steady the ship when things get rocky.
The Kings have one more stop on this road swing, but they’re heading into it with confidence-and two clutch points in their back pocket.