3/15 Preview – Fiala + Byfield = Thriving. No Lineup Changes Expected, Center Depth, Avoid The Letdown

WHO: Los Angeles Kings (35-20-9) vs. Nashville Predators (25-33-7)
WHAT: 2024-25 Regular-Season Game
WHEN: Saturday, March 15 @ 5:00 PM Pacific
WHERE: Crypto.com Arena – Los Angeles, CA
HOW TO FOLLOW: VIDEO: KCAL-9 – AUDIO – ESPN LA App – TWITTER: @dooleylak & @lakings

TODAY’S MATCHUP: The LA Kings conclude a three-game homestand this evening as they host the Nashville Predators for their final meeting of the season.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: The Kings have a 1-0-1 record against Nashville so far this season, collecting a win and an overtime defeat at Bridgestone Arena.

Forward Adrian Kempe has led the Kings to date with a goal and an assist versus the Predators, while forward Phillip Danault and defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov each have two helpers from two games played.

KINGS VITALS: The Kings did not hold a morning skate in advance of tonight’s game, with the earlier puck drop.

Look for goaltender Darcy Kuemper to make his third consecutive start between the pipes this evening against Nashville. Kuemper brings a lifetime record of 7-2-4 against the Predators into tonight’s game, with a .919 save percentage and a 2.37 goals-against average, including a 16-save shutout back in November.

No skate today, but expecting the same lineup tonight for the Kings, shown below –

Kuzmenko – Kopitar – Kempe
Foegele – Danault – Moore
Fiala – Byfield – Laferriere
Jeannot – Helenius – Turcotte

Anderson – Doughty
Gavrikov – Spence
Edmundson – Clarke

Kuemper
Rittich

While there is always the possibility of a change, the Kings are not expecting one to come tonight, per Jim Hiller yesterday. Thus, for the fifth straight game, expecting to see the same lineup here tonight.

As has been the case, the Kings have four players available to play if needed, with Trevor Lewis and Akil Thomas up front, along with defensemen Kyle Burroughs and Jacob Moverare on the blueline.

PREDATORS VITALS: Nashville had won four games in a row before falling 2-1 in Anaheim last night.

Per Brooks Bratten of NashvillePredators.com, here’s how the visitors lined up yesterday against the Ducks –

#Preds lineup in warmups:

Stamkos-O'Reilly-Evangelista
Forsberg-Sissons-Marchessault
Bunting-Svechkov-Vrana
Bellows-McCarron-Smith

Skjei-Blankenburg
Del Gaizo-Stastney
Oesterle-Barron
Englund

Saros
Annunen#NSHvsANA

— Brooks Bratten (@brooksbratten) March 15, 2025

Former Kings defenseman Andreas Englund is on the trip for the Predators but did not play in yesterday’s game. Englund has appeared in 10 games with Nashville since he was claimed off waivers from Los Angeles, collecting 24 penalty minutes and a -3 rating.

Nashville captain Roman Josi, who has 16 assists from his last 16 games played against the Kings, is on injured reserve and will not play in tonight’s game.

Storyline Of The Day – Kevin & Quinton
Another game, another Byfield/Fiala connection.

After Fiala scored a power-play goal, the Kings had an opportunity to put the game away on Thursday. Less than 60 seconds later, defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov stepped up and forced a turnover at the offensive blueline, sending Fiala and Byfield the other way on a 2-on-1. Ah, the dreaded 2-on-1. At least that’s how it’s felt too often for the Kings this season. On this occasion, though, they made no mistake as Fiala fed Byfield for a crucial insurance goal. As Byfield jumped thunderously into the glass, as Nick Nickson repeated BOOM on the television call, as the arena erupted, with noise building goal-over-goal, one felt that the game was all but over in that moment.

Since Byfield and Fiala were reunited on a line, the results have been exemplary, whether it be with Alex Laferriere or Adrian Kempe as the third linemate.

I don’t want to downplay Laferriere’s work, because he does so much that hasn’t been rewarded of late on the scoresheet. Fiala and Byfield have both talked about it and he will get his in time. In fact, since February 1, only one forward with at least 200 minutes at 5-on-5 has a lower IPP than Laferriere. IPP is a simple measurement of the percentage of goals a player is on the ice for that he has collected a point on. Laferriere has only registered a point on 33.3 percent of the goals he’s been on the ice for in that span, which is unsustainably low. He’ll get his in time and as a line, those three are thriving and producing.

Right now, though, it’s Byfield and Fiala who are amassing the points in bulk.

Since February 1, they rank first and second on the Kings in scoring, with Byfield’s 16 points one ahead of Fiala’s 15. Byfield is a staggering +12 in that span and has found the back of the net in five consecutive games, becoming just the fifth King of all-time to do so before the age of 23 and the first since 1988. And they tried to make people believe the Kings would trade this guy. Cmon.

“He’s a grown man now, he’s huge, he uses his body, he’s fast, he can shoot the puck, he can pass, he can see the ice,” Fiala said of Byfield. “I try to get my creativity to him, talk to him a lot on the bench and he is listening. It’s great, it’s a give and take.”

Byfield was quick to return the favor to his linemate, calling Fiala one of the NHL’s best players when he’s on his game.

“I think Kev is one of the best players in the league when he’s going and he’s going right now,” Byfield said. “Just being able to get him the puck to make plays and I get open. That’s what me and Laf are doing.”

Fiala certainly is on his game right now, with Jim Hiller calling his performance against the Capitals one of his best games over the last three seasons, since Hiller joined the organization. Wrote about Fiala’s superb play a few weeks ago and I feel like I could re-write that story, with additional stats and completely new quotes now, based on how he has continued his level and perhaps even raised it in the games since.

All-in-all, it’s been so exciting to watch right now. To see Fiala finally find a home on what feels like a regular line. To see Byfield showcase his potential all over the ice. To see the right third piece in Laferriere. To see the points lead to wins for the club. All great signs and the Kings will continue to rely on that group again tonight.

3 To Watch For –
– Was researching this morning and found this collection of stats.

Since February 1:

– Quinton Byfield is tied for the NHL lead in 5-on-5 assists.
– Phillip Danault is tied for the NHL lead in even-strength primary assists.

Oh, and Anze Kopitar is a point-per-game in March to lead the @LAKings in scoring.

THAT is center depth.

— Zach Dooley (@DooleyLAK) March 15, 2025

That is center depth. I was really looking for the numbers on Byfield for the above section and found Danault’s totals, along with his wingers Trevor Moore and Warren Foegele, popping up in a lot of areas. Few additional filters and found that he is racking up the primary helpers. I also think that Anze Kopitar has looked recharged over the last couple of weeks, ever since he took things upon himself after the loss in St. Louis. He scored a goal in three of his next four since those comments and he now has points in four straight.

It’s been rare the Kings have had all three of their centers going at the same time this season. We might be living it right now and that is very exciting.

– The natural question heading into tonight’s game from a team perspective, off the big win over Washington, is how do you avoid the “trap game” if you will, or the letdown performance.

The Kings have had those, even in victories. I recall when the Kings beat league-leading Winnipeg back in November and then did not play their best in a 2-1 win over Anaheim. Over 82 games, you’re going to have ups and downs. On Thursday, the Kings, to a man, played just about as well as they could in all facets of the game. As such, they fully controlled a 3-0 win over the Capitals. That’s in the past, though. Now, it’s onto a Nashville team that always plays the Kings tight. They defeated the Kings in Tennessee back in December and won’t be a pushover.

So, what’s the key to avoiding the letdown?

“I don’t know, you tell me,” Jim Hiller said, jokingly.

Obviously there’s no secret formula. Otherwise it wouldn’t happen. The Kings will be well prepared for tonight’s game, but they want to have the same game they had on Thursday.

“Sometimes it’s losing your focus and maybe relaxing a little bit, thinking okay, this might be a little easier, but this league is too good,” Hiller added. “As soon as you do that, you get off it, you’re a step behind and the other team starts giving it to you.”

Hiller pointed to the Islanders win on Tuesday as an example in both directions.

The Kings came out hot in that game and played a good first period. They gave it back in the second though and overall, it was a sloppy victory. He said the coaching staff will reference that game as an example, both of being ready to play and also the dangers in stepping off the gas.

– Lastly, Insiders, another plug here for LAKI Suite Night next weekend! We’ve got two suites reserved and the first has sold out, with the second approaching so as well. If still interested in attending, we still have plenty of space and would love to have everyone out who can make it.

Saturday, March 22 versus Carolina at 1 PM is the game. Tickets are $75 apiece for suite access with a couple of add-ons coming your way as well. Can email me at zdooley@lakings.com for more information if you haven’t already and would like to be a part of that night!