No need to bury the lede here, Quinton Byfield was injured in last night’s game and there is only a limited amount of information to report on the situation at this time. He left the arena on crutches following the game vs. Arizona and he’ll be evaluated further today. According to our sources, team officials are expecting him out at least a month. However, further imaging is needed today and that will help set a proper timeline. Until we get more information, we have to put a pin in the topic by and large and move on, as the Kings are set to play their second-to-last preseason game in Anaheim later tonight.
UPDATE at 4:30 p.m. VIA TWITTER:
Byfield has a fractured ankle. Official word coming soon.
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) October 6, 2021
From what we gathered yesterday afternoon, tonight’s forward pairings were originally planned as something close to this:
Kempe – Byfield – Iafallo
Tkachev – Vilardi – Andersson
Moore – JAD – Kupari
Lemieux – Lizotte – Grundstrom
Obviously, those plans are going to require some adjustment at this point… and the morning shuffle is already underway.
Original lineup for tonight was to include Byfield and Kaliyev. Things are obviously moving around today. Kings have recalled JAD, Kupari, Kaliyev, and Turcotte from Ontario.
Morning skate at 10:30, then travel to Anaheim.
We'll have an article up in a bit.
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) October 6, 2021
From what we’re told, all four prospects called up will play tonight.
With the team traveling to Anaheim immediately following their morning skate at 10:30 am in El Segundo, there will not be any media availability this morning. Nonetheless, we’ll continue to gather info throughout the day and plan to post an updated lineup projection later this afternoon (possibly with some additional info on Byfield). Until then, here’s our latest roster projection for tonight’s game:
LA KINGS PROJECTED LINEUP vs. ANAHEIM DUCKS – FIRST DRAFT
Iafallo – Kempe – Kaliyev
Tkachev – Vilardi – Andersson
Moore – JAD – Kupari
Lemieux – Turcotte – Grundstrom
Other options: Lizotte, Wagner, Arvidsson, Brown, Kopitar, and Danault
Anderson – Roy
Bjornfot – Walker
Wolanin – Strand
Other options: Doughty and Edler
Petersen (starter)
Quick
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm tonight and the game will be televised on Bally’s Sports Network, as will all remaining Kings preseason games.
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Lead photo via ALo Images
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Why do people put one line as RW-C-LW, when they put all the other lines as LW-C-RW?
Lemieux-Turcotte-Grundstrom?
We normally go LW – C – RW. However, it’s been a bit of a challenge in camp, as McLellan has been playing many guys on their off-wing. Like Iafallo at RW.