Can Quinton Byfield translate regular season success into playoff dominance?
The LA Kings are going to have to believe that this year's team is not the same as past and there are plenty of things to point to that supports that fact. This is not the same roster, it is not even the same system with Jim Hiller having a full season as head coach.
One of the big differences is the emergence of Quinton Byfield, especially in the second half of the season. The former first round pick started the season slow but was a different player in the final months while averaging almost a point per game in the final 32 games of the regular season.
Byfield's game as developed past the box score as he has become the Kings premier defensive center and regularly lined up against the opponent's top line so it wouldn't be surprising to see Byfield draw Connor McDavid's line. This will be a key matchup in this series and could decide who advances.