The Los Angeles Kings host the Vegas Golden Knights for the third-of-four meetings this season. In the first two contests, both Vegas and LA picked up wins on home ice.

The Kings are coming off a 5-3 regulation win over the Utah Hockey Club on Saturday.

In their last ten meetings with the Kings, the Golden Knights are 6-4-0 with a combined score of 33-31 (in Vegas’ favor).

All-time, Vegas are 18-13-3 against the Kings – LA 16-16-2.  

On Saturday (February 22, 2025), the Los Angeles Kings hosted the Utah Hockey Club, picking up a 5-3 regulation victory.

I was honored to have been invited to attend that game as a member of the media, and used the opportunity to scout Kings Forward Quinton Byfield.

Although held without a point in that contest, Byfield's play at Center really looks like it's coming along nicely. He continuously stuck to the middle of the ice, using his size to eat up space or set screens. When he did go roaming, Byfield was calculated with his decision making, knowing he could make a play more so than taking a risk.

Byfield drew a penalty at 7:36 in the first period. I didn't think it was a bad penalty. Not saying it wasn't a penalty, just the kind of penalty you can easily put in the rearview. It did result in a power play goal for Utah. But, Head Coach Jim Hiller immediately put Byfield back on the ice, resulting in a goal just 0:28 later from Defenseman Drew Doughty – Byfield with a +1.

Showed very good puck handling in traffic. Strong ankles/footwork – took some bumps but stayed on his feet.

When playing with Forwards Kevin Fiala and Alex Laferriere, Byfield's offensive punch is on display but in a very subtle way. For example: Byfield made a quick one-touch pass and had the confidence to let Fiala and/or Laferriere make a play rather than holding onto the puck and waiting for his guys to get into position. Byfield was their safety blanket. Knowing Byfield can be a General on the ice who can also contribute a high level of offense is what the Kings envisioned when they reverted him back to Center. While the points may not be there, it's starting to trend that way.

We all know how incredibly fast Byfield can skate. At times, you need that. However, I noticed how well he does when he slows the play down. Like, way, way down! At one point, he made an Offensive Zone entry and there were at least three Utah players waiting to greet him. With the puck on his stick, he sort of just stopped in motion, kept his head on a swivel to see what his options were, and then proceeded to play on. It would have been an ideal moment for Utah to try and steal the puck from Byfield but they looked frozen and stunned.

If you were following the puck during the game, you may not be surprised to see Byfield without a point in this game. But, if you were following him during the game, you saw a guy who made plays away from the puck. When coaches talk about a player doing, "all the little things," that's what I saw from Byfield against Utah.