LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Kings faced a setback on Monday night, as their four-game winning streak was halted by a 2-1 defeat to the Seattle Kraken. Early in the game, Kings forward Quinton Byfield delivered an impressive performance, scoring his 20th goal of the season within the first two minutes, giving Los Angeles an early advantage.
“I was on was the net there and just trying to get a tip, and it was kind of getting back to me, so we’ll take those,” Byfield said describing him scoring his 20th goal.
“What I liked about it is he was there, and he actually got a stick on it,” Los Angeles Kings head coach Hiller said. “I know he ends up putting it in with one hand. … That’ll be something we’ll all watch as his career develops, getting more tips in front of the net. Nice to see it happen.”
However, the Kings’ lead was short-lived. Seattle was aggressive and responded with determination, as Matty Beniers quickly tied the game at 1-1 with a skillful wrist shot, marking his 19th goal of the season. Less than a minute later, the momentum shifted further in favor of the Kraken when Brandon Montour found the back of the net. Assisted by Jordan Eberle, Montour’s 17th goal of the season propelled Seattle to a decisive 2-1 lead.
The remainder of the game unfolded as a defensive standoff, with both teams vying for control yet struggling to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Despite their efforts, the Kings could not breach the Kraken’s defense effectively, missing the chance to secure their 30th home win of the season. This loss also curtailed their opportunity to challenge the Vegas Golden Knights for the top spot in the Pacific Division.
“We didn’t get our job done, so I was concerned,” Hiller said on scoreboard watching.
The Kings face their cross-county rivals, the Anaheim Ducks, on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. They are looking to bounce back and get back in the winning column. With the playoff race heating up, the Kings will look to maximize their strategy and make a strong statement against Anaheim.
