Quinton Byfield scored just 2:48 into overtime to give the Los Angeles Kings a dramatic 3-2 victory against the Philadelphia Flyers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Saturday. Byfield’s quick wrist shot from the right face-off circle marked his 10th goal of the season and capped a strong showing for a Kings team now 3-1-0 on their five-game road trip, which concludes against the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday.
Byfield described the play simply: “As soon as I got it, I knew I was shooting. I saw open ice in front of me and was just trying to get it off quick.” His decisive goal highlighted Los Angeles’ ability to remain patient and capitalize on opportunities under pressure, a theme that carried through the game.
Kempe Sparks Kings’ Offense While Kopitar And Kuemper Provide Leadership And Stability
Adrian Kempe led the Kings’ offensive charge, scoring twice in the first period and reaching 20 goals for the fifth straight season. Kempe opened the scoring at 3:10 with a wrist shot from the slot and added a one-timer at 7:08 assisted by Corey Perry, who also notched two assists. An initial goal by Andrei Kuzmenko appeared to extend the lead further, but it was overturned after Kevin Fiala was ruled offside. Coach Jim Hiller noted the impact of this reversal on momentum, highlighting the need for the team to stay focused even when plays are nullified.
Byfield Overtime Goal Lifts Kings Over Flyers in Thrilling 3 2 VictoryThe Kings’ depth was on display throughout the night. Captain Anze Kopitar returned after missing 11 games due to an upper-body injury, logging 16:13 of ice time and winning 10 of 14 face-offs. Hiller praised Kopitar’s performance, emphasizing his conditioning and ability to contribute in critical moments despite the layoff. Goaltender Darcy Kuemper made 19 saves, helping Los Angeles withstand Philadelphia’s late pressure and secure the win.
Flyers Fight Back But Kings’ Depth And Experience Secure Road Trip Victory
Philadelphia battled back in the second period. Trevor Zegras cut the deficit to 2-1 with a power-play goal just 39 seconds into the period, his 20th of the season and first for the Flyers. Defenseman Nick Seeler credited the team’s five-man unit play and forechecking for generating momentum. Travis Konecny tied the game 2-2 early in the third period, redirecting a shot from Rasmus Ristolainen. Konecny has now scored in three straight games, totaling seven points over that stretch, and nearly delivered an overtime win with a breakaway chance that hit the post.
Despite the Flyers’ four-game losing streak, Zegras remained optimistic about the team’s resilience. “It’s a long year,” he said. “We’ve had ups and downs, but we’re confident in each other.” Goaltender Dan Vladar stopped 18 shots, keeping the contest competitive until Byfield’s decisive strike.
The win highlighted the Kings’ ability to combine veteran experience with emerging talent. Kempe’s milestone, Byfield’s overtime heroics, and Kopitar’s successful return all underscore a team finding rhythm and depth as they push through a critical stretch of the season. Byfield noted the importance of the road trip for standings positioning: “The whole league is tight, and if we can piece together a big road trip like this, it would be really special for us and get us in the right direction.”
The Kings leave Philadelphia with a morale-boosting victory and the confidence that their core players can deliver in key moments. Meanwhile, the Flyers face the challenge of regrouping before the season’s midseason break, aiming to end their skid and stabilize performance.
