3 takeaways from LA Kings preseason 4-1 win over Boston Bruins
Hockey was back in Quebec City for the first time in a long time as the Los Angeles Kings would go up against the Boston Bruins. While it was only preseason, the Kings did a great job setting the tone and coming away with a 4-1 victory on Thursday night.
The scoring would be tough to come by until midway through the second period when Quinton Byfield would find the net for the first time but certainly wouldn't be the last. In fact, he would score again about 30 seconds after that first goal.
It was the Bruins turn to respond as they would end up with a goal of their own to cut the lead in half. However, that is as close as they would get as Adrian Kempe would score a short-handed goal in the third period before Byfield completed the hat trick with his third goal of the night in the third period.
While it is only preseason, and should be kept in perspective, these are three takeaways for the Los Angeles Kings from their game against Boston.
Quinton Byfield was unstoppable with a hat trick
There is no question that the top headline coming out of this game will be Quinton Byfield and his performance. The former second overall pick is entering a big season with high expectations after a 20-goal season last year.
Byfield this season is moving back to center, which is more of his natural position, after playing on the wing last year. There is no question that he looks very comfortable with the move back with some impressive plays almost all night.
He would get the scoring going in the second off the assist from Kevin Fiala and then follow it up with the rebound off Joel Edmundson's shot. The final goal was off a nice deflect on a centering pass from Phillip Danault with the Kings on a power play.
The excitement should only be growing for the season Byfield could have after a game like this.
Andre Lee trying to fight his way towards a roster spot on the Los Angeles Kings
There are not many roster spots seemingly available on the Los Angeles Kings but one player who is trying his hardest to earn one of them is Andre Lee. Prior to the game tonight head coach Jim Hiller had this to say about Lee according to Zach Dooley with LA Kings Insider:
“I like that he brought his 6-5 body to camp, I like the way he skates and most importantly, I like his consistency,” Hiller said of Lee. “A lot of times it takes a bigger guy like that more time to understand what his role is going to be, that he’s got to get in quick and forecheck, he’s got to finish checks, do all those things. He does it very, very consistently already. "
Lee definitely showed the physicality in the first period, or at least tried to. After a hit on Alex Turcotte, Lee took exception and laid a big hit on Jeffrey Viel. Both players would go to the penalty box but it wouldn't stop there as both players would drop the gloves as soon as they came out of the box.
Viel would get the better of Lee but it is great to see Lee stand up for his teammates and try to make a statement. This should certainly help his chances of making the Kings' roster at the start of the regular season.
Special teams was the difference for the Los Angeles Kings against the Bruins
One of the topics this offseason was the Los Angeles Kings special teams with the way the playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers went. The Oilers would score nine goals on power plays compared to none for the Kings over the five game series.
On Thursday, the Kings were able to make plays in this area and if they can continue that into the regular season it would be a great boost for this team. The Kings would be able to kill all three power plays for the Bruins but more importantly turned them into goals.
In the third period, Adrian Kempe would be able to score a short-handed goal after a great pass from Adrian Kopitar that helped extend the lead for the Kings to 3-1. Then Byfield completed the hat trick later in the period on a power play.
This is something that is going to be scrutinized for most of the season but it appears to be off to a great start.
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