Kings vs Golden Knights Game 38: Lines, Notes & How to Watch

After a much-needed break, the Los Angeles Kings are back in action Tuesday against the Vegas Golden Knights.

The big news heading into this game is the return of Quinton Byfield, who has spent the last month and a half with the Ontario Reign. It was his most successful AHL stint to date, scoring 16 points in games with his 9 goals leading the team.

Byfield is a more confident player after his stint with the Reign.

"Definitely, super excited to be back here (in the NHL)," said Byfield. "Playing with the Reign it was good, building confidence, scoring, playing a lot that was very nice. And you just want to bring that over here and contribute." 

"I'm just focused on playing my game," said Byfield. "Just want to do your job, there's obviously a role you have to play but you want to be the player you've always been."

Based on the morning skate, it appears Byfield will play between Brendan Lemieux and Rasmus Kupari.

The other big piece of news was an injury update from Todd McLellan. 

"Arthur (Kaliyev) is on IR, Trevor Moore won't play tonight and I don't know if he'll be available the next game," said McLellan.

The King's season opener against the Golden Knights feels like a lifetime ago, as so much has changed since then. Mainly, the Kings starter was in Ontario and seen as an emergency-only option on Oct. 11, now he is the nailed-on starter. 

Vegas currently sits atop the Pacific Division and will act as a litmus test for a Kings team that has appeared to turn a corner recently.

Los Angeles Kings Lines:

Kevin Fiala-Anze Kopitar-Adrian Kempe

Alex Iafallo-Phil Danult-Viktor Arvidsson

Jaret Anderson-Dolan-Blake Lizotte-Gabe Vilardi

Brendan Lemieux-Quinton Byfield-Rasmus Kupari

Defense:

Mikey Anderson-Drew Doughty

Sean Durzi-Matt Roy

Alex Edler-Sean Walker

Goalies:

Pheonix Copley

Jonathan Quick

Expected Vegas Golden Knights Lines Per VegasHockeyNow:

Chandler Stephenson- Jack Eichel- Mark Stone (c)

Reilly Smith- William Karlsson- Jonathan Marchessault

Michael Amadio- Jake Leschyshyn- Phil Kessel

Will Carrier- Nicolas Roy- Keegan Kolesar

Defense:

Nicolas Hague- Alex Pietrangelo

Brayden McNabb- Shea Theodore

Alec Martinez- Daniil Miromanov

Goalies:

Logan Thompson

Adin Hill

Special Teams:

Los Angeles Kings Power Play: 30-131, 22.90%, 16th in NHL

Los Angeles Kings Penalty Kill: 37-130, 17.54%, 27th in NHL

Vegas Golden Knights Power Play: 27-102, 26.47%, 8th in NHL

Vegas Golden Knights Penalty Kill: 22-89, 75.28%, 23rd in NHL

Pre-Game Notes:

• The last time the Kings and Golden Knights met was on Opening Night at Crypto.com Arena this season, Gabriel Vilardi opened the LA Kings season scoring with his first-period goal. At 23 years and 56 days old, Vilardi became the fourth-youngest LA skater in the last 15 years to score in the team’s season-opening game. (Nick Shore, 23 years and 11 days; Drew Doughty, 19 years and 299 days; Anze Kopitar, 22 years and 40 days). 
• Only the Florida Panthers (1,284) have put up more shots on goal this season than the LA Kings (1,217). 
• Carolina (13) and Vegas (12) are the only two teams have more one-goal game victories this season than the Kings (10). 
• No team has scored more goals against Vegas all-time than the Kings (77). 
• No skater has drawn more penalties on the Kings than Gabriel Vilardi (17).

How to Watch:

TV: Bally Sports West, ESPN+; Radio: iHeartRadio