They’ll also welcome the Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues, who like the Kings and Penguins entered the NHL in 1967, with a match against the decidedly younger Florida Panthers (established 1993) between those opponents to round out the slate.

The Kings have gotten more and more from their one-time No. 2 overall pick, Quinton Byfield, while Pittsburgh will need quite a bit from its third-string goalie after Alex Nedeljkovic (lower-body injury) was placed on injured reserve in late October and Tristan Jarry took both a powerful pivot of Adam Henrique’s hip and a puck to the mask on Tuesday, forcing him from a 2-0 shutout of the Ducks. Per multiple reports, Jarry did not practice Wednesday.

Byfield, who was selected second overall in 2020 but had been limited in his development significantly by a broken ankle and then an illness that took around 25 pounds off his formidable frame, started his career with 14 points in his first 61 games. A move to left wing last season opened up more minutes, albeit in a role with an emphasis on puck retrieval and board work, and this year his production has been more congruous with his talent level and prominence.

He extended his point streak to four games (seven points) with an assist on Anze Kopitar’s empty-netter, which was the captain’s 400th career goal, in a 4-1 victory over defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas on Wednesday night as the Kings became just the eighth team in NHL history to win their first seven road games.

“He wins a ton of battles down low, against the big D-men too, which shows he’s using his body really well,” linemate Adrian Kempe said after Byfield notched three assists in Philadelphia on Saturday. “Going back to last year, we had a ton of chances and he didn’t really get the points that he deserved, so those are showing a little bit more this year, so I think everybody’s really happy for him.”

Byfield, who at 6-foot-4 and more than 220 pounds has prototypical size for a center similar to teammates Pierre-Luc Dubois and Anze Kopitar, has long been considered a finesse player for his stature. He already is one of the fastest skaters on the team, per data recently released by the NHL, and he has shown flashes of strong puck skills. What might have been left for Byfield to acquire, other than mere experience, was a higher level of assertiveness, which Kopitar felt was emerging.

“He’s using his speed, his skill and his size. It’s great to see him develop, and he’s playing with a little swagger too,” Kopitar said.

The Kings entered the season with questions about their goaltending, but Cam Talbot has answered them affirmatively thus far. He stopped 37 shots and nearly turned in his second shutout of the season against Vegas.

Pittsburgh’s engine has sputtered early in the season, leaving the Penguins in the Metropolitan Division’s basement. But California has been kind to them as they bombarded the San Jose Sharks, 10-2, on Saturday and then blanked the Ducks on Tuesday in a tight-checking, low-enthusiasm affair. In it, Hellberg made 11 saves in relief, and the 6-foot-6 Swede seemed like a borderline lock to start Thursday.

“Obviously, I’m playing hockey to play games as well. So of course, if they tell me to keep playing here, I’m up for it, for sure,” Hellberg said after Tuesday’s game.

While it was unclear how long Hellberg would be the de facto owner of the Penguins’ net, Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan expressed his confidence in the 32-year-old, whose top-level professional experience has been more extensive in the Russian-based Kontinental Hockey League than in the NHL.

“I think it’s terrific. He’s such a great guy. He works hard and brings such positive energy to our team,” Sullivan said.

Hellberg will not be the biggest name from Sweden in the game, since his countryman Erik Karlsson was acquired by Pittsburgh, adding last year’s Norris Trophy winner to a core that included Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. The Penguins also continue to employ another multiple-time champion in the twilight of his career, former Kings forward Jeff Carter, who was scratched in the games against San Jose and the Ducks.

“First time in my career,” Carter told reporters. “But I understand it. I’m part of a team. And whatever [Coach Sullivan] decides to do in terms of the lineup, we’re all on board.”

PITTSBURGH AT KINGS

When: Thursday, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Crypto.com Arena

How to watch: Bally Sports West

• 

  Kings goaltender Cam Talbot, left, makes a save against the Vegas Golden Knights’ William Carrier during the second period on Wednesday night in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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  Kings defenseman Matt Roy, left, knocks the puck up the ice against Vegas Golden Knights right wing Jonathan Marchessault during the first period on Wednesday night in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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  Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill blocks a shot in front of Kings right wing Carl Grundstrom during the first period on Wednesday night in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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  Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone, left, vies for the puck with Kings defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov during the second period on Wednesday night in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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  Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill, left, blocks a shot by the Kings’ Blake Lizotte during the first period on Wednesday night in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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  Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill blocks a shot by the Kings’ Blake Lizotte during the first period on Wednesday night in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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  Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill, right, blocks a shot by Kings center Blake Lizotte during the first period on Wednesday night in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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  Kings goaltender Cam Talbot, left, makes a save against the Vegas Golden Knights’ William Carrier during the second period on Wednesday night in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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  Kings center Adrian Kempe, right, celebrates with Andreas Englund after scoring during the second period of their game against the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday night in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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  The Vegas Golden Knights’ William Carrier, left, skates with the puck against the Kings’ Phillip Danault as Kings goaltender Cam Talbot, right, protects the near post during the second period on Wednesday night in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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  Kings goaltender Cam Talbot, right, stops the puck in front of Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone, left, and Kings center Phillip Danault during the second period on Wednesday night in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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  Kings center Trevor Moore, second from right, celebrates after scoring during the second period of their game against the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday night in Las Vegas. The Kings won, 4-1. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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  The Kings’ Trevor Moore celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring a goal during the second period of their game against the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday night in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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  Kings goaltender Cam Talbot, left, makes a save against the Vegas Golden Knights’ Jack Eichel during the second period on Wednesday night in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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  The Vegas Golden Knights’ William Carrier, left, skates with the puck against the Kings’ Phillip Danault during the second period on Wednesday night in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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  The Vegas Golden Knights’ Alex Pietrangelo, right, skates with the puck against the Kings’ Alex Laferriere during the second period on Wednesday night in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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  Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone, left, commits a hooking penalty on Kings center Adrian Kempe during the third period on Wednesday night in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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  The Kings’ Quinton Byfield skates with the puck as the Vegas Golden Knights’ William Karlsson pursues during the third period on Wednesday night in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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  The Vegas Golden Knights celebrate after center William Karlsson (71) scored during the third period of their game against the Kings on Wednesday night in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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  The Vegas Golden Knights’ William Karlsson celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring a goal during the third period of their game against the Kings on Wednesday night in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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  Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill, left, Brayden McNabb (3) and Shea Theodore (27) defend the net in front of the Kings’ Anze Kopitar, center, during the third period on Wednesday night in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

By W.G. RAMIREZ The Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — It’s all clicking for the Kings when they pack their travel bags this season, and their success away from home has reached historic levels.

Adrian Kempe had a goal and an assist and the Kings won their fourth game in a row, 4-1 over the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday night.

With the win, the Kings became just the eighth team in NHL history to win each of their first seven road games to start a season, and the first to accomplish the feat since the Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils did it in 2009.

Trevor Moore, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Anze Kopitar also scored for the Kings. Cam Talbot made 37 saves and is now tied with two others with a league-leading seven wins.

After opening the season with points in their first 12 games, the Golden Knights lost for the second straight time in regulation. Vegas hadn’t lost consecutive games in regulation since Jan. 16 and 19 of last season, to Dallas and Detroit.

William Karlsson scored for the Golden Knights and Adin Hill stopped 29 shots.

The Kings broke through first, opening the scoring midway through the second period.

Hemmed into the offensive zone, defenseman Jordan Spence blasted a shot from the blue line and Kempe was there to clean up on the right side of the net, slamming home the rebound for a 1-0 lead.

“It was the game we thought it would be,” Kings coach Todd McLellan said. “I thought early it was a boxing match. Everybody was just taking jabs and waiting for something to give. Fortunate to score first, and I think that’s always an advantage against this team.”

It didn’t take long for the Kings to extend their lead to two goals, as it was Spence once again with a blistering shot from the top, only this time Moore with a redirect from the slot.

With another power-play opportunity, Dubois beat Hill from the left side of the goal when he tapped home a rebound to push the visitors’ lead to 3-0 early in the third.

Karlsson brought life to an announced crowd of 18,330 in attendance when he cut the Kings’ lead to two goals, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Kings’ momentum.

“I think we’ve kind of run out of gas a little bit,” Vegas captain Mark Stone said. “And I thought we played pretty well for a majority of the game. Third period just kind of shut it down a little bit, didn’t really have our legs. But adversity doesn’t kill you, it makes you stronger. We’ll be ready for San Jose on Friday night.”

Kopitar, who also had an assist earlier, notched the 400th goal of his career with an empty-netter to provide the final margin.

Since Vegas joined the NHL ahead of the 2017-18 season, no skater has more points against the Golden Knights than Kopitar (13 goals, 21 assists).

“Obviously, it’s a good feeling. I didn’t think it was going to happen tonight,” Kopitar said. “I figured I’d give it a go (at an empty net). Memories like this, you want to be on the winning side of this. I thought we played a solid, solid game tonight. It’s obviously a good feeling to get the two points.”

UP NEXT

The Kings host Pittsburgh on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Juice wasn't missing that one pic.twitter.com/qVcbCHI4FQ

— LA Kings (@LAKings) November 9, 2023

2⃣1⃣ to 1⃣2⃣ pic.twitter.com/zBfFLWUU4r

— LA Kings (@LAKings) November 9, 2023

PLD PPG pic.twitter.com/t5K4NNkVIf

— LA Kings (@LAKings) November 9, 2023

THE CAPTAIN SCORES HIS 400TH GOAL pic.twitter.com/odWeJT1v3R

— LA Kings (@LAKings) November 9, 2023

Talbs says NOPE (twice) pic.twitter.com/1lxISmusKV

— LA Kings (@LAKings) November 9, 2023

Cam Talbot joins the panel to talk about his start with the Kings and what he learned from former teammate Henrik Lundqvist pic.twitter.com/0Ur8lr9L2V

— NHLonTNT (@NHL_On_TNT) November 9, 2023

He buried Nos. 398 and 399 amid victories in Ottawa on Thursday and Philadelphia on Saturday, following a win at Toronto, where he recorded an assist to start the journey. The Kings have been back home during their three-day layoff ahead of a matchup with the 2023 Stanley Cup winners, the Vegas Golden Knights, to technically close out their four-game road trip in Sin City before beginning a homestand of commensurate length.

Not only have the Kings been the NHL’s most successful frequent fliers, they’ve ranked near the top of the league offensively, in terms of volume and balance. Only the Vancouver Canucks have scored more goals per game than the Kings and only Vancouver has had more scorers reach double-digit point totals (six to the Kings’ five, including Kopitar). The Kings have also enjoyed tremendous continuity: Since Arthur Kaliyev’s return from suspension in their third game, they’ve dressed the same lineup every single night.

“We’ve brought some guys in and we have pretty much every line producing right now, which is a good thing for us,” said Adrian Kempe, last year’s team leader in goals. “That hasn’t been an issue for us this year, the goal-scoring.”

The Kings have also received tremendous goaltending from Cam Talbot, who was named the NHL’s second star of the week Monday. His play has been all but overshadowed, however, by the Kings’ copious offense by committee.

Vegas joined the Kings, Canucks, Tampa Bay Lightning Toronto Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh Penguins among the most balanced scoring teams entering Tuesday’s action. The Golden Knights have been led by William Karlsson, who not only has 15 points in 13 outings but also a plus-12 rating buoyed by superlative checking and matchup domination.

That sounds a bit like the perennial scouting report on Kopitar, who has topped the Kings in scoring in all but two campaigns of his illustrious career while earning a reputation as an elite defender. The last player to reach the 400-goal plateau in a Kings jersey was Kopitar’s former linemate Marian Gaborik on Dec. 5, 2017, against the club for which he scored most of those goals, the Minnesota Wild. This season, Kopitar has found himself challenged not only by Kempe and Kevin Fiala once again, but also by local product Trevor Moore and the oft-scrutinized Quinton Byfield.

But only Kopitar is closing in on the latest in a torrent of milestones, his 400th goal. Whenever he next finds the net, Kopitar will become the 108th player in NHL history to cross that threshold, and he could be joined by Boston’s Brad Marchand and Dallas’s Jamie Benn later this season. Like Marchand and Benn, Kopitar has played his entire career for one franchise and become its captain.

“It’s a lot easier to stay in one place when you win already versus exploring other teams to try and win. I’ve felt great here right from the start,” Kopitar said earlier this season.

The full context of Kopitar’s accomplishment may be better viewed through a lens of offensive stars who have also excelled in the defensive zone. Kopitar will become just the seventh 400-goal scorer to also have won at least one Frank J. Selke Trophy as the league’s top defensive forward (Kopitar has two). He will join Patrice Bergeron, Rod Brind’Amour, Sergei Fedorov, Ron Francis, Doug Gilmour and Steve Yzerman in that club.

They are all also 1,000-point scorers, and the only other 1,000-point Selke winner was Bob Clarke (358 goals). Other than Bergeron, none of Kopitar’s renowned peers were able to equal Kopitar’s achievements, with Selke winners Pavel Datsyuk and Jonathan Toews (who has not yet retired but is currently inactive) falling short of those scoring benchmarks, while prolific scorers like Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid had yet to capture a Selke.

Karlsson and Vegas captain Mark Stone have joined Kopitar among the top two-way forwards this season. The Golden Knights were the last team to defeat the Kings, edging past them 4-3 in a shootout Oct. 28. That was the second game of a dense stretch of Vegas’ schedule that ended with a 4-2 loss to the Ducks on Sunday, since which the defending champs have been idle.

Kings at Vegas

When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas

How to watch: TNT, Max

Walker, now in a contract year with the Philadelphia Flyers, has seized on the narrowest of opportunities time and time again. He’s done so while facing harrowing possibilities with a sincere smile along a path that took him from small-town Keswick, Ontario, to the lesser-heralded Junior A ranks to a mid-major NCAA program at Bowling Green and a solitary pro contract offer once he finished his career there.

“I don’t know if it’s because he’s from a small town or because he grew up playing junior hockey in small communities, or he went to a school that wasn’t maybe one of the top, top hockey programs but a mid-tier school that emphasized work and effort,” Kings assistant general manager Nelson Emerson said. “But the one thing that Sean realizes is that no one is bigger than the game of hockey. The game can always come up and bite you, but if you respect it and do the right things, it’ll treat you very well.”

Emerson, like Kings GM Rob Blake, is a Bowling Green alumnus, and Walker was graduating from there at a time when the Kings were turning over stones to fast-track a daunting rebuild. Walker’s skating leaped off the screen, but his character became equally apparent.

Not only did Walker earn a look from the Kings – who like Bowling Green had been at the NCAA level, were the only team showing serious interest – but they got him an AHL contract and, only a year later, a fresh new two-way deal that landed Walker in the NHL.

“He had to work his way up all the time, a smaller defenseman, he had to compete and be a good teammate. He became a captain on the Bowling Green team,” Emerson said. “When we made him that offer, we knew there was a lot more in the tank.”

Walker proved himself adaptable. But over two NHL seasons and two calendar years, 2021 and 2022, he established himself as a survivor.

First, during an abjectly miserable 2021 campaign, Walker’s toiling was rewarded with a Matt Dumba slapshot to the face. Walker’s orbital bone was severely fractured, among other injuries and lacerations, requiring what was believed to be a two-hour surgical procedure to be extended to more than five hours.

While the injuries were frightening, Walker ultimately missed just nine contests. The following campaign, however, was another story.

In the sixth game of the following season, Walker became entangled with David Perron. Both players fell in a heap, twisting Walker’s leg awkwardly. He sustained torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments, costing him the campaign.

“A lot of players would have a difficult time with that. I think, with ‘Walks,’ what he went through as a player and how Bowling Green taught him how to persevere,” Emerson said. “Because he had a stable foundation, I think that really helped him.”

Walker would be monitored carefully early in 2022-23 but he played in 70 of 82 games and scored 13 points in what was mostly a third-pairing role. The Kings had the rare issue of being overstocked with right-handed-shooting defensemen, like Walker, and at last summer’s exit interviews, Walker acknowledged that he would likely be traded from the only organization he’d known.

Sure enough, Walker was shipped to Philly along with Cal Petersen, Helge Grans and draft assets in a three-way transaction that netted the Columbus Blue Jackets a reliable defenseman and the Kings some much-needed cap flexibility. But Walker has been more than just a salary dump for Philly, who has dressed him in each of their games. Walker has rewarded them with over 20 minutes of ice time a night, two short-handed goals and four points thus far, putting him on pace for career highs in goals and points.

“He’s been really good,” Flyers coach John Tortorella told reporters. “He’s been noticeable in that he’s probably one of our most aggressive defensemen in surfing, taking a chance as far as getting your gap very early, not waiting for them to cross the red line to get your gap.”

Walker said that he and Tortorella, a notoriously demanding and often gruff bench boss, had proven a solid fit for each other.

“Everybody knows what Torts is expecting out of you and that feeds into the way that I want to play,” Walker said. “I pride myself as being someone who is going to show up every day and work my very hardest, and, at the very least, that’s what he expects.”

Walker called his “fresh start” in the city of Brotherly Love “a great opportunity” to play a larger, more diverse role.

“When you’re playing those minutes, it’s easier to find your game, feel more confident and play well,” he said.

While the Kings have transitioned to a more competitive phase than they were in when Walker joined the organization, the Flyers are very much immersed in a re-tooling process. Walker, who will turn 29 on Nov. 13, may play himself into a second trade in less than a year. He knew that if he continued to excel, he could have value to a contender near the trade deadline.

“That’s something that you try to just put in the back of your mind, and go day-to-day and just worry about your game. That’s the situation that I’m in,” Walker said. “I’ll just take it in stride and whatever happens happens. We’ll work through it and hopefully the best comes out of it.”

For now, what’s scheduled to happen is a second meeting in a week’s time against his former friends and neighbors. In Philadelphia on Saturday, the Kings coasted to a 5-0 victory thanks to a superb performance from goalie Cam Talbot opposite another former King, Cal Petersen. The grudge match will take place next Saturday at Crypto.com Arena.

Walker often displays quiet but palpable sentimentality. He beams softly when talking about his loved ones. There’s little doubt that he carries a special fondness for Bowling Green, where he got the phone number he hopes to keep for life, and also for his first professional franchise.

“It’s just the relationships,” Walker said. “Everyone helped me through it but I also got to go through it with a bunch of guys and made some lifelong friendships. I’ll forever be grateful to the organization, to Blakey, Nelson Emerson and all those guys for giving me the opportunity.”

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  Los Angeles Kings’ Carl Grundstrom, left, and Philadelphia Flyers’ Travis Sanheim battle for the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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  Philadelphia Flyers’ Cal Petersen, left, blocks a shot by Los Angeles Kings’ Drew Doughty during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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  Philadelphia Flyers’ Garnet Hathaway, left, and Los Angeles Kings’ Carl Grundstrom collide during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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  Los Angeles Kings’ players celebrate past Philadelphia Flyers’ Garnet Hathaway after wining an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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  Philadelphia Flyers’ Travis Konecny skates off the ice after the Flyers lost an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

By ANTHONY SANFILIPPO The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA — Cam Talbot made 24 saves in his first shutout of the season, and the Kings beat the Philadelphia Flyers, 5-0, on Saturday night to extend their point streak to six games.

The Kings got off to a fast start behind Adrian Kempe and Anze Kopitar, who scored 18 seconds apart in the first period. Arthur Kaliyev and Trevor Moore scored in the second, and Blake Lizotte added a third-period goal.

It was Talbot’s 29th career shutout.

The Kings improved to 6-0-0 on the road.

“It ended up being an excellent trip east obviously,” coach Todd McLellan said. “We’ve had great goaltending and timely goals. Sometimes you have to recognize where the schedule takes you, and they were a team playing the third time in four nights, so we wanted to get on the board first and getting those two goals back-to-back really helped us.”

Talbot has taken the No. 1 job and run with it, going 6-1-1 in his last seven starts.

“He really fits the group,” McClellan said. “He’s got a calm demeanor and he’s confident. He’s done a really good job.”

Cal Petersen made 25 stops for Philadelphia. It was his first start for the Flyers after coming over from the Kings in an offseason trade.

Kempe was able to get his stick on a bouncing puck and tap it past a sliding Peterson to open the scoring.

“I’ve always been a scorer,” Kempe said. “I have the most shots on the team so obviously I’m trying to score as many goals as I can.”

Kopitar redirected a shot from Matt Roy over Peterson’s blocker. It was Kopitar’s sixth goal of the season and No. 399 for his career.

Quinton Byfield assisted on each of the first three goals for the Kings.

“He protects pucks really well and gets in on the forecheck really well,” Talbot said. “He’s pretty intimidating. Especially when you can get pucks back on the forecheck like that and go right back on the attack. He’s playing great for us.”

Kaliyev scored a power-play goal 16:01 into the second, and Moore added his sixth goal of the season with 16 seconds left in the period off a turnover from Flyers defenseman Cam York.

York spent the entire third period on the bench after that miscue.

The Flyers lost for the fifth time in the last seven games and were shut out for the first time this season.

“There are things we need to learn,” Flyers coach John Tortorella said. “We almost made it 2-1 on the power play, and then a few little things happened and the next thing you know it’s 4-0. Those are the lessons we need to learn against a really good hockey team. Those are the lessons we need to figure out.”

Philadelphia played its second straight game without starting goalie Carter Hart (mid-body injury) and No. 1 center Sean Couturier (lower-body injury). They are day to day. The Flyers added goalie Felix Sandstrom (upper body injury) to the injured list before the game.

UP NEXT

Kings: Finish their three-game trip at Vegas on Wednesday.

Flyers: Begin a four-game road trip Tuesday in San Jose.

They have been fond of fresh bed sheets and tiny mints on their pillows, producing a flawless record across five away contests thus far. For the team with the Western Conference’s best points percentage at home last season – and just one win in their building this year – the road has become something of a refuge.

“We have a little bit more of a swagger to win some games, get some points on the road, which is a good thing,” said Adrian Kempe, who has scored a goal and two assists on the journey thus far. “It’s just confidence, for sure, we feel like we’re a pretty good road team and we can go into any building and get points.”

An unsuccessful late-game power play meant shifts for the Kings’ top 10 offensive skaters with critical moments lying ahead. But the fourth line provided a reliable shift ahead of a final minute when the Kings fended off Ottawa’s efforts, and the Kings won, 3-2. Coach Todd McLellan and center Phillip Danault concurred that a major part of the Kings’ success has been their ability to deploy four lines comfortably behind a well-conditioned defense corps.

“Just rolling the lines. We can trust everyone on the ice, whether it’s defensively or offensively,” Danault said on the Bally Sports broadcast.

Entering the game, much was made of the various storylines that involved the Kings and Senators.

Quinton Byfield picked up his third point in two games, while Tim Stützle was held scoreless, though 2020’s No. 3 pick has generally out-shined its second selection. Cam Talbot won a matchup in which Joonas Korpisalo also played formidably with 35 saves in defeat against the goalie with whom he switched places this summer. Winger Dominik Kubalik, whom the Kings drafted but ultimately were unable to sign, scored a goal for his third franchise since his departure from the organization.

In a juxtaposition of trade-deadline acquisitions, Jakob Chychrun had an assist for Ottawa, but not before Vladislav Gavrikov had directly prevented a score and preserved a one-goal lead when he negated Drake Batherson’s power-play shot attempt destined for an open net.

“Gavi is five-star, defensively, for sure, that’s why we need him [in order] to win,” Danault said on the broadcast.

In Philadelphia, the Kings will encounter yet another old chum, defenseman Sean Walker, who played the first five seasons of his career in Los Angeles from 2018 until last season.

He was involved in what was effectively a salary dump of Cal Petersen’s $5 million cap hit this past offseason. Walker, Petersen, prospect Helge Grans and a second-round pick were dealt to Philadelphia, which also had the Kings retain $2 million of defenseman Ivan Provorov’s contract on his way to Columbus as part of the three-way trade. Petersen, the Flyers’ fourth-string goalie who spent most of last season and the early part of this campaign in the minors, was recalled to the Flyers Thursday after starter Carter Hart sustained an injury while third-stringer Felix Sandstrom was on a conditioning loan.

Walker, who dealt with gruesome facial injuries and then reconstructive knee surgery across the course of the 2020-21 and 2021-22 campaigns, returned to action last season. He needed the early part of the year to get his legs back under him, but was a steady contributor for the Kings. He has seen his role expand for the rebuilding Flyers. He has four points in 10 games with Philadelphia and has been a regular on the penalty kill with both of his goals coming shorthanded.

“I’m feeling good, the team’s playing pretty good right now so we just want to keep rolling with it,” Walker said by phone.

The Flyers’ promising start gave way to a three-game winless streak, which they carried into the back half of a home-and-home set with the Buffalo Sabres Friday. Travis Konecny leads the Flyers with 11 points. The void on the blue line left by Provorov has been filled by Travis Sanheim, who has exploded for 10 points in 10 games.

KINGS AT FLYERS

When: Saturday, 4:30 p.m.

Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia

TV: Bally Sports West

• 

  Kings center Phillip Danault is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal during the first period of their game against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night in Ottawa, Ontario. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

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  Ottawa Senators center Josh Norris, right, pushes Kings center Anze Kopitar off the puck during the first period on Thursday night in Ottawa, Ontario. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

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  Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk, right, checks Kings defensemen Jordan Spence into the boards during the first period on Thursday night in Ottawa, Ontario. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

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  Ottawa Senators center Tim Stutzle, right, moves the puck around Kings defenseman Andreas Englund during the first period on Thursday night in Ottawa, Ontario. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

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  Ottawa Senators center Tim Stutzle, right, skates around Kings right wing Carl Grundstrom (91) as he chases the puck during the first period on Thursday night in Ottawa, Ontario. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

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  Kings goaltender Cam Talbot stands near the goal during a pause in play in the first period of their game against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night in Ottawa, Ontario. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

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  Kings center Quinton Byfield falls to the ice as he chases the puck against Ottawa Senators right wing Mathieu Joseph during the second period on Thursday night in Ottawa, Ontario. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

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  Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk checks Kings right wing Alex Laferriere during the second period on Thursday night in Ottawa, Ontario. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

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  Kings right wing Carl Grundstrom, left, scores on Ottawa Senators goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (70) during the second period on Thursday night in Ottawa, Ontario. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

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  Players on the Kings’ bench wait to congratulate right wing Carl Grundstrom, left, after he scored a goal during the second period of their game against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night in Ottawa, Ontario. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

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  Kings right wing Arthur Kaliyev (34) puts the puck around Ottawa Senators left wing Parker Kelly (27) during the second period on Thursday night in Ottawa, Ontario. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

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  Kings defenseman Andreas Englund, top, slams Ottawa Senators center Tim Stutzle into the boards during the third period on Thursday night in Ottawa, Ontario. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

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  Ottawa Senators right wing Drake Batherson, second from left, gets knocked to the ice by Kings defenseman Matt Roy, left, as Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) takes the puck during the third period on Thursday night in Ottawa, Ontario. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

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  Kings center Anze Kopitar, right, gives goaltender Cam Talbot a pat on the head after their 3-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators, Talbot’s former team, on Thursday night in Ottawa, Ontario. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

OTTAWA, Ontario — The Kings have had their troubles on home ice so far, but they’ve found a nice groove on the road.

Anze Kopitar scored midway through the second period to help the Kings build a three-goal lead and they held on to beat the Ottawa Senators, 3-2, on Thursday night to improve to 5-0-0 away from home.

Carl Grundstrom and Philip Danault also scored and Adrian Kempe had two assists for the Kings, who improved to 6-2-2 overall. Cam Talbot, who spent last season in Ottawa, had 24 saves against his former team.

“That was a good game from our side tonight,” Kempe said. “Obviously they came back at the end and it was tighter than we wanted it to be. But I think we’ve had some games this year where it’s been a one-goal game at the end of the second period and I think we’ve been doing a really good job of that.

“Every line is managing the puck really well.”

Dominik Kubalik and Josh Norris had goals for Ottawa, and Joonas Korpisalo finished with 36 saves against his former team.

“The mistakes we made that went in the net are just mistakes,” said Senators coach D.J. Smith, who coached his 300th game. “That’s bad reads or not enough poise or what have you … for us to win games, you can use short-handed (play) as an excuse, but that ain’t going to fix anything. We’re gonna have to be airtight defensively.”

The Kings opened the scoring with a power-play goal three minutes in when Danault tallied from in close.

They doubled their lead at the 5-minute mark of the second period. Kempe picked up the puck at his own blue line, came down the wing and fed Grundstrom, who beat Korpisalo.

Kopitar was the beneficiary of Andreas Englund’s rebound for his fifth goal of the season at 8:55 of the middle period to make it 3-0.

“We have a pretty good idea of how we need to play,” Kings coach Todd McLellan said. “Sometimes bounces don’t go your way, their second goal hits (Kopitar) in the face and a little bit of bad luck, but for the most part, I think we can play tight, uncomfortable games.”

The Senators got on the board with Kubalik’s power-play goal with 21 seconds left in the second.

Norris tipped Jacob Bernard-Docker’s shot at 4:09 of the third to pull Ottawa within one, but the Senators couldn’t get the equalizer.

“I don’t think the game was a bad game by any means,” said Ottawa defenseman Travis Hamonic, who played in his 800th NHL game. “But those are the close ones that you do need, especially at this time of year because they all matter and it matters at the end.”

Ottawa played much of the game down two players after Ridly Greig appeared to jam his right leg early in the first period, and Mark Kastelic lost an edge, went down hard to the ice early in the second and was unable to put any weight on his right leg.

Smith didn’t have an update after the game but said they look to be doubtful for the next few games.

“I think we would have liked to have been a little sharper in the second period and be a little bit more mature,” Norris said. “But we had a couple guys go down and guys had to step up and play some bigger minutes.”

UP NEXT

The Kings play at Philadelphia on Saturday night in the third game of a four-game trip.

Phillip Danault talks post game with @CarrlynBathe @LAKings I #LAKingsLive pic.twitter.com/LpxNcqZm3Q

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) November 3, 2023

Coach McLellan talks about the complete team effort for the win pic.twitter.com/pHdZaUB7Rq

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) November 3, 2023

Danault strikes first on the powerplay!!@LAKings I #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/ZptEnasDPp

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) November 2, 2023

What a finish by Grundstrom and it's 2-0@LAKings I #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/w1mvIXvsHN

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) November 3, 2023

Just taaaaap it in @LAKings I #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/zVP9mQmlWu

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) November 3, 2023

Those teams will clash after the Kings beat the Toronto Maple Leafs convincingly 4-1 on Tuesday. The Sens have been off since they defeated Pittsburgh, 5-2, on Saturday, but much of the attention in this upcoming showdown will likely be attracted by individual matchups.

The Kings have gotten more and more out of Quinton Byfield since his move to left wing last season, as he has excelled in a role that’s been deferential offensively but more engaged than ever otherwise. He put up his first multipoint game of the campaign Wednesday, prompting a fresh round of “was that Q’s best game?” inquiries, which Coach Todd McLellan said were a welcome signal to the Kings that the former No. 2 overall pick was advancing in his development.

The man taken directly behind Byfield in the 2020 draft was Ottawa forward Tim Stützle, who has long since blown past the point of looking for encouraging signs when it comes to his scoring ability. He turned in a 90-point campaign last season, the most ever for a German-trained player not named Leon Draisaitl, and leads Ottawa in scoring again this year. Stützle was drafted as a center/wing hybrid while Byfield was generally considered a true center, but it has been Stützle pushing two-way standout Claude Giroux to the wing on Ottawa’s top line, though Byfield scooted over to the left side of the Kings’ No. 1 trio.

In net, the Kings made a de-facto swap with Ottawa. The Kings had acquired Joonas Korpisalo right before the trade deadline, but his services proved too rich for their blood given other priorities, so Ottawa swooped in to ink him to a five-year, $20 million pact. Already having completed a pair multiple ambitious moves for skaters, the Kings needed to get creative between the pipes, so they approached Cam Talbot, who spent last season with the Senators.

To this point, Korpisalo’s numbers have been pedestrian, similar to the ones he posted last year on a porous Columbus club prior to a trade that plunked him right into the Kings’ cage for their ephemeral postseason.

Talbot, on the other hand, has provided tremendous value. The Kings have earned a point in four of his five appearances since a loss in the home opener, including three wins. In three of his outings, he’s allowed just one goal, and his .914 save percentage is up from .898 last season.

On the blue line, the Kings had long been linked to defenseman Jakob Chychrun, who had played his career in Arizona until the most recent trade deadline approached. The Kings eventually pivoted away from those discussions and toward a successful negotiation that netted them a rental of Korpisalo and defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov.

Chychrun was acquired by Ottawa via trade soon after. This season, he’s posted eight points in eight games while tying for the NHL lead in goals by a defenseman with four, highlighted by a two-goal, three-point performance against Philadelphia.

Gavrikov has been known more for his defensive ability, but he’s chipped in three points in 2023-24. His possession metrics have dipped across the board from last year, though nine games with a team that’s been somewhat inconsistent have provided a small and likely ambiguous sample of his effectiveness.

The Kings and Sens split their meetings last season, with Ottawa prevailing in overtime at home and falling on the road. The Kings’ major addition over the summer was center Pierre-Luc Dubois, who has notched six points in the first nine games of his eight-year contract. In addition to Korpisalo, Ottawa added winger Vladimir Tarasenko on a one-year, $5 million show-me deal. What he’s shown them so far are nine points in eight games.

While the personnel debates may rage on for years, this match will be settled Thursday with the Kings crossing the border soon, to Philadelphia, where they’ll clash with the Flyers, a team with whom the Kings completed an intricate three-way trade this past summer.

KINGS AT OTTAWA

When: Thursday, 4 p.m.

Where: Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, Ontario

How to watch: Bally Sports West

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  The Kings’ Andreas Englund, right, celebrates with Kevin Fiala (22) and Pierre-Luc Dubois after scoring a goal during the first period of their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)

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  The Toronto Maple Leafs’ William Lagesson, right, and the Kings’ Blake Lizotte battle for the puck during the first period on Tuesday night in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)

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  The Kings’ Phillip Danault, center, skates in to score against Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll during the first period on Tuesday night in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)

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  The Toronto Maple Leafs’ Pontus Holmberg shows his frustration after the Kings’ Phillip Danault, left, scores on goaltender Joseph Woll during the first period on Tuesday night in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)

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  The Kings’ Quinton Byfield takes a shot as the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Morgan Rielly tries to defend during the first period on Tuesday night in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)

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  The Kings’ Arthur Kaliyev (34) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the second period of their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)

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  Kings goaltender Cam Talbot looks on as the Toronto Maple Leafs’ John Tavares goes after a loose puck during the second period on Tuesday night in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)

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  The Toronto Maple Leafs’ William Nylander takes a shot against Kings goaltender Cam Talbot during the second period on Tuesday night in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)

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  The Toronto Maple Leafs’ Mitchell Marner is left on the ice after a hit by a Kings player during the second period on Tuesday night in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)

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  The Kings’ Kevin Fiala sends a shot just wide of Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll during the third period on Tuesday night in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)

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  The Toronto Maple Leafs’ Mark Giordano, right, leaps to try to stop the Kings’ Kevin Fiala during the third period on Tuesday night in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)

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  The Kings’ Adrian Kempe, right, celebrates after scoring a goal during the third period of their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)

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  The Toronto Maple Leafs’ Mitchell Marner shows his frustration at the end of his team’s 4-1 loss to the Kings on Tuesday night in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)

TORONTO — Cam Talbot just wanted a chance.

He got it on the West Coast alongside his old coach – and his new team is enjoying the early returns.

Talbot was solid in making 30 saves behind the relentless Kings as they brushed aside a listless Toronto Maple Leafs squad to begin their four-game trip with a 4-1 win on Tuesday.

The veteran goaltender signed a one-year, $2 million contract in free agency after one injury-plagued season with the Ottawa Senators saw him play just 36 games, but he was confident there was still plenty of gas left in his tank.

“I never take a day for granted here,” the 36-year-old Talbot said after improving to 4-2-1. “At this point in my career, all I wanted to do was get an opportunity to show that I can still play and still battle for starts.

“When I’m healthy, I feel like I’m gonna be at the top of my game like that.”

Phillip Danault, Adrian Kempe, Arthur Kaliyev and Andreas Englund, with his first in the NHL, had the goals for the Kings (5-2-2). Quinton Byfield added two assists.

Talbot was reunited with Kings head coach Todd McLellan, who was behind the bench for all four of his seasons with the Edmonton Oilers from 2015-16 through 2018-19.

“Very competitive,” McLellan said of his netminder. “He’s a little longer in the tooth like some of us, but he takes care of himself so well that he can play – and play a lot.

“He’s hungry.”

John Tavares replied for Toronto (5-3-1), which was coming off a 3-1-1 road trip. Joseph Woll stopped 23 shots.

Leafs winger William Nylander picked up an assist to set a franchise record by recording at least one point in a ninth consecutive game to start a season, breaking a tie with Frank Mahovlich (1961-62), Lanny McDonald (1976-77) and John Anderson (1982-83).

“Every team goes through times during the year where you have a difficult schedule,” Tavares said. “With the type of team that we have, we have to recognize and understand how you have to fight through that.”

The Kings, who entered averaging an NHL-best 4.38 goals per game, opened the scoring at 6:38 of the first period following a dreadful Leafs power play when Englund’s shot went in off the stick of Toronto defenceman Mark Giordano for the journeyman blue liner’s first goal in his 89th career contest.

“Long time since I played my first NHL game,” said the 27-ear-old. “Great to finally get the first goal.”

“After a while, I started thinking, ‘Am I ever gonna score one?’”

Talbot made two good stops on Nylander later in the period after the Swede stepped past a couple of defenders.

“We’re always trying to prove ourselves,” Danault said of Talbot. “No matter how old you are, no matter how many years you have, you’re always trying to prove yourself.

“Definitely proving himself right now.”

The Kings doubled their lead at 11:40 when former Leafs winger Trevor Moore found Danault on the doorstep to pot his second to end a forgettable shift for Toronto’s fourth line.

Woll robbed Kaliyev five minutes into the middle period, but the Kings forward wouldn’t be denied on a power play at 9:46 when he settled a bouncing puck and ripped his second.

Kevin Fiala fed Kaliyev to become the third Kings player in the last 25 years to register an assist streak of at least eight games.

Toronto didn’t have much of anything to offer in response as the second wore on before the Kings toyed with the home side in the dying minutes – prompting a series of boos from the crowd.

The Leafs showed some life on a power play when Tavares broke Talbot’s shutout bid with his fifth at 8:25 of the third.

But the Kings put things out of reach at 12:13 when Toronto defenceman John Klingberg turned the puck over on a sequence that ended with Kempe scoring his third.

Next up for Talbot and the Kings is a Thursday game against his old team.

“Being injured three separate times, and out of training camp … it was tough to jell with the new team,” he said of his Senators stint. “But that’s a great group over there. You meet a lot of guys throughout your career that you’re going to be friends with, and that group is no different.

“Look back on it fondly, but obviously I’m here now and looking forward to playing them.”

BYFIELD’S BACK HOME

Byfield was a little distracted at the Kings’ optional morning skate ahead of the big winger’s first game in his hometown.

The 21-year-old from nearby Newmarket, Ontario, used to attend games with his dad at Scotiabank Arena.

“I was trying to look where I was sitting before when I was younger,” Byfield, the No. 2 pick at the 2020 draft, said Tuesday morning.

So where did he sit back in the day?

“Everywhere,” replied Byfield, before adding with a grin: “Nose bleeds most of the time.”

MOORE OFFENSE

Moore leads the Kings in goals with five. The 28-year-old from Thousand Oaks was signed by Toronto in 2016 out of the University of Denver and spent parts of four seasons with the organization before getting traded to the Kings as part of the deal for goaltender Jack Campbell.

“I don’t feel like they gave up on me,” Moore said of the Leafs. “They had a need in net … I have no hard feelings.”

UP NEXT

The Kings play at the Ottawa Senators on Thursday at 4 p.m. PT.

ANDREAS ENGLUND FIRST NHL GOAL!!!! pic.twitter.com/L8dSug2CLB

— LA Kings (@LAKings) November 1, 2023

That's a heck of an assist right there courtesy of Trevor Moore.

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— NHL (@NHL) November 1, 2023

The best sound in hockey.

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— NHL (@NHL) November 1, 2023

They’ll also take on the Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers with a travel day between each game, then enjoy a three-day layoff before a rematch with the Vegas Golden Knights, to whom they fell, 4-3, in a shootout on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena.

“Toronto, Ottawa, Philly, they’re all having real good starts, it’s not an easy trip. There isn’t a night where you can show up with your ‘B’ game,” Coach Todd McLellan said. “Each team is playing a little different, they have strengths and weaknesses that may differ from the others, but we’re going to have our group rested [after the] first back-to-back for our group, and then be prepared to play.”

Through eight games, expectations have escalated but the Kings’ results have closely mirrored those of the previous two seasons. They’ve won four of their first eight games, just like last season, albeit with less drastic swings than the ones that defined a 2021-22 campaign that saw them sandwich a seven-game surge between winless streaks of six and five games, respectively.

Still, there have been glimpses of the club’s full potential, at times on the Kings’ two-game trip earlier this month and, as center Phillip Danault remarked, during their switches-flipped frenzy of a comeback against the Arizona Coyotes on Friday.

“We could feel the power of our team, when we were playing our game,” Danault said.

Danault also spoke to the second power-play unit, saying it was a “matter of time” before it became more dangerous. The Kings have seen a year-over-year dip in power-play efficiency overall thus far (from 25.3% to 16.7%), with the first unit accounting for three goals, the second group contributing two and a makeshift quintet of role players being rewarded in a game that was out of reach scoring the sixth.

The most significant changes were Quinton Byfield’s addition to that second unit in place of the injured Viktor Arvidsson as well as the switch of quarterbacks from Sean Durzi, who was traded to Arizona, to Jordan Spence. Arthur Kaliyev has shown flashes of brilliance previously, but he has seen his role change a bit. All three men were still in search of their first power-play point of 2023-24 entering Tuesday’s games.

Byfield, however, has been wiggling closer and closer to a breakout performance offensively. He’s on pace for 41 points, which would nearly double his total from last season, and there are indicators that his production could accelerate. Via Money Puck, Byfield tops the Kings in on-ice goal percentage and expected on-ice goal percentage, as well as Fenwick-for percentage. In expected goals, he has out-performed this year’s team leader in actual goals, Trevor Moore, and trailed only last year’s top sniper, Adrian Kempe, perennial points leader Anze Kopitar and this season’s marquee acquisition, Pierre-Luc Dubois.

“There’s a big difference between being confident and unsure of yourself. Right now, he’s confident,” said McLellan, who said Byfield had “earned” that confidence. “How did that happen? It happened through work, through time – it didn’t happen through stats, because we’re still wondering if he can keep scoring.”

From a first-line forward who was a No. 2 overall pick to a fourth-liner who carved his niche as a role player after being selected in the first round, Trevor Lewis has chipped in two goals in his past three games and continued to provide value on the penalty kill. McLellan said he could be an inspiration for other players trying to find their lane on a crowded NHL highway.

“Trevor was drafted as a high-end scorer, but he’s won two (Stanley) Cups because he’s been able to adjust his game,” McLellan said.

The Kings’ next opponent has no shortage of former lottery picks and even multiple No. 1 overall selections with John Tavares (11 points) and Auston Matthews (10 points). Toronto is paced by William Nylander’s dozen points in what has been an oft-discussed contract year for the 27-year-old Swedish forward.

In goal, Ilya Samsonov entered the season as the starter but has been outplayed thus far by Joseph Woll, 25, who has won three straight decisions while allowing just two goals and stopping 95 shots.

KINGS AT MAPLE LEAFS

When: Tuesday, 5 p.m. PT

Where: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto

TV: ESPN