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    Kings’ Quinton Byfield remains in spotlight
    • April 30, 2023

    Adrian Kempe #9 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period in game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Fans reach out as Goalie Joonas Korpisalo #70 of Los Angeles Kings walks onto the ice prior to taking on Edmonton Oilers during game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Kailer Yamamoto #56 of the Edmonton Oilers is mobbed by teammates after scoring against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period in game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Phillip Danault #24 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates after scoring against goalie Stuart Skinner (not pictured)of the Edmonton Oilers during the third period in game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Phillip Danault #24 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates after scoring against goalie Stuart Skinner #74 of the Edmonton Oilers during the third period in game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Goalie Stuart Skinner #74 of the Edmonton Oilers on the ice after giving up a goal to Phillip Danault (not pictured) of the Los Angeles Kings during the third period in game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Phillip Danault #24 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates after scoring against goalie Stuart Skinner (not pictured) of the Edmonton Oilers during the third period in game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Phillip Danault #24 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates with teammates after scoring against goalie Stuart Skinner (not pictured)of the Edmonton Oilers during the third period in game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Alex Iafallo #19 of the Los Angeles Kings takes a shot against goalie Stuart Skinner #74 of the Edmonton Oilers as Mattias Ekholm #14 defends during the third period in game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Phillip Danault #24 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates after scoring against goalie Stuart Skinner (not pictured) of the Edmonton Oilers during the third period in game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Alex Iafallo #19 of the Los Angeles Kings takes a shot against goalie Stuart Skinner #74 of the Edmonton Oilers as Mattias Ekholm #14 defends during the third period in game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Blake Lizotte #47 of the Los Angeles Kings is tripped up by Klim Kostin #21 of the Edmonton Oilers during the first period in game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Sean Durzi #50 of the Los Angeles Kings is mobbed by teammates after scoring against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period in game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Leon Draisaitl #29 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates with teammates Zach Hyman#18 and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins #93 after scoring as Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings looks away during the second period in game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Adrian Kempe #9 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates with teammate Amze Kopitar #11 after scoring on a power play against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period in game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Connor McDavid ( not pictured) of the Edmonton Oilers scores past Goalie Joonas Korpisalo #70 of Los Angeles Kings during the first period in game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers controls the puck past Carl Grundstrom #91 of the Los Angeles Kings during the first period in game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Kings fans celebrate after a goal by Kevin Fiala (not pictured) of the Los Angeles Kings against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period in game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Leon Draisaitl (not pictured) of the Edmonton Oilers scores past goalie Joonas Korpisalo #70 of the Los Angeles Kings looks away during the second period in game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Head coach Todd McLellan, right, of the Los Angeles Kings looks on against of the Edmonton Oilers during the first period in game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Young fans look on as goalie Phoenix Copley #29 of the Los Angeles Kings skates past prior to game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Los Angeles Kings fans wearing “Believe” jerseys look on during warmups prior to game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Los Angeles Kings fans wearing giant crowns look on during warmups prior to game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers reacts with teammates after scoring against the Los Angeles Kings during the first period in game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Kevin Fiala #22 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates with teammate Drew Doughty #8 after scoring on a power play against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period in game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Leon Draisaitl #29 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates with teammates Zach Hyman#18 and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins #93 after scoring as Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings looks away during the second period in game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Goalie Joonas Korpisalo #70 of Los Angeles Kings after giving up a goal to Klim Kostin (not pictured) of the Edmonton Oilers as teammates Brett Kulak #27 and Derek Ryan #10 react during the first period in game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Goalie Stuart Skinner #74 of the Edmonton Oilers blocks shot by Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings during the third period in game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Alex Iafallo #19 of the Los Angeles Kings controls the puck against of the Edmonton Oilers during the first period in game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Goalie Stuart Skinner #70 of the Edmonton Oilers blocks a Los Angeles Kings shot on goal during the second period in game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Head coach Jay Woodcroft of the Edmonton Oilers looks on against the Los Angeles Kings during the second period in game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Klim Kostin #21 of the Edmonton Oilers reacts with teammate Kailer Yamamoto #56 after scoring against the Los Angeles Kings during the second period in game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    Connor McDavid ( not pictured) of the Edmonton Oilers scores past Goalie Joonas Korpisalo #70 of Los Angeles Kings during the first period in game 6 of a first round NHL Western Conference playoff hockey game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

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    LOS ANGELES — Where Quinton Byfield skates, the spotlight follows.

    His combination of power and grace was alluring enough to the Kings to invest 2020’s No. 2 overall pick into Byfield, making him the highest selection among Black prospects in NHL history.

    Since that momentous occasion, Byfield saw his junior league shut down by the pandemic, sending him to the minor-pro level sooner than expected. He made his Kings debut during the pandemic-truncated campaign of 2021. He broke his ankle amid a promising preseason in 2021-22 and earned his first playoff action in two games against the Edmonton Oilers. This season, he’s shifted from center to wing, at least for the time being, just as two other Kings first-rounders, Adrian Kempe and Gabe Vilardi did. On Saturday, Byfield centered the fourth line with Vilardi and dynamic scorer Kevin Fiala, but he spent virtually all of the stretch run as the top-line left wing with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe.

    While Byfield has made strides with a well-defined role and top-quality linemates –– Coach Todd McLellan has said Byfield has gotten deeper into his progressions and impacted the possession game favorably as a winger  –– production has not quite followed. Byfield’s garbage-time goal in Game 5 was his first since a March 14 empty-netter, his first against a goalie since Jan. 21 and just his fourth overall in 58 games between the 2022-23 regular season and playoffs.

    On one hand, Byfield won’t even turn 21 until August. On the other, the player taken behind Byfield, Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stutzle, has compiled 177 points in 210 NHL games, including 90 points in 78 contests this season.

    “It’s not an easy answer. It’s not a simple, ‘Now’s the time,’ or ‘Tomorrow,’ or ‘Six weeks ago.’ There is no easy answer to that,” McLellan said of Byfield’s potential breakout.

    Stutzle has been the exception, not the rule, as even consensus No. 1 pick Alexis Lafreniere has yet to break the 40-point barrier in a campaign for the New York Rangers. Only nine players have outscored Byfield from his draft class, and seven of them have played in 14 or more additional games. Apart from Stutzle, only Detroit’s Lucas Raymond has crossed the 100-career-point threshold.

    “Quinton, where he was drafted and with the type of offensive expectations that came with that spot or that slot, takes a lot of pressure and (the news media members) ask me questions every day about Quinton Byfield. That’s just automatic,” McLellan said. “And earlier in his career, I had a tougher time answering because he wasn’t scoring, but he didn’t bring a lot else to his game (either). He had to learn that. Now he’s bringing a lot. I have a lot easier time supporting and answering those questions, and I think the offense will come.”

    Byfield’s production, albeit infrequent, was a harbinger of Kings success this season. He strung together a career-best scoring streak of five games, coinciding with five Kings victories that were wedged between two losses. Overall, the Kings were 17-3-0 when Byfield registered at least one point, an .850 points percentage, and they won both of the first two games in which he picked up an assist in the Edmonton series. He recorded an assist in the first period Saturday after blocking a shot to ignite a counterattack. Still, McLellan hasn’t been pressing his prodigy for points.

    “I want him to keep playing the game he’s been playing. He’s been one of our most tenacious forecheckers, he’s been one of our most physical players,” McLellan said. “And if he just keeps those qualities in his game, then he’ll be fine.”

    Lizotte to the rescue

    McLellan’s affable demeanor emerges from behind a steely stare that means business, and former Kings enforcer Brendan Lemieux makes his living, in large part, intimidating opponents.

    But both grew fond and reverent repeatedly when talking Kings center Blake Lizotte, who returned to action Saturday after missing three games with a lower-body injury. Now in his mid-20s, Lizotte still has some boyish features but, on the ice, he has proven he is all man.

    Fiercely competitive, Lizotte embraces the onerous task of being a 5’9”, 170-pound checking center, a role more typically filled by players like Edmonton’s Nick Bjugstad (6’6”, 209) or the Dallas Stars’ Radek Faksa (6’3”, 225). His drive and defensive prowess alike were missed across the three matches he missed, two of which were losses, especially as the Oilers double-shifted their top players across lower lines.

    “It’s hard to sit out games, especially in the playoffs, everybody wants to play, especially myself,” said Lizotte ahead of Game 6. “I’m excited to get back in there, bring energy and bring a spark for our guys.”

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