Kings Notes:
Per Natural Stat Trick, no defensive paring has a higher expected goals for per 60 minutes than Vladislav Gavrikov and Matt Roy's 5.94 (min. ice time: 50 minutes).
Forward Adrian Kempe has led the Kings in scoring since the flip to the new calendar year with a team-leading 18 goals in 27 games since Jan. 1, 2023. In total, Kempe has recorded 27 points (18-9=27) in those 27 games. His 0.67 goals-per-game since Jan. 1 is the fourth-highest among Western Conference skaters and tied for sixth overall in the league with Ottawa's Tim Stützle (min. GP: 20).
The Kings have historically fared well in matchups against the Islanders at home, securing points in nine of their 10 games against the Islanders at Crypto.com Arena, dating back to the 2009-10 season. Of those 10 games, the Kings' penalty kill percentage (PK%) has been a perfect 100% in eight of those matchups, allowing only two power-play goals in their last 34 shorthanded situations vs. NYI. No team has a higher home penalty killing percentage against the Islanders during that time than the Kings (min. GP: 10).
In their five games since March 1, no team has allowed fewer goals than the LA Kings' nine. The team's 1.80 goals against-per-game is the second-lowest in the league during that time. In those five games, the Kings have outscored their opponents 17-9 while averaging 25.8 shots against-per-game (SA/GP), tied for third-lowest in the league. LA has collectively put up 170 shots since the beginning of the month with forward Viktor Arvidsson leading all Kings skaters with 28 shots.
With a career-high 17 points (2-15=17) in 38 games this season, Quinton Byfield is three points shy of being 19th different skater in Kings history 20 years of age or younger to record a 20-point season. Only five skaters have done so in franchise history in the last 20 years.
The Kings power play ranks 5th in the NHL (23.9%).
The Kings penalty kill ranks 23rd in the NHL (75.7%).
The Kings are 6th in faceoff win percentage (52.8%).
Islanders Notes:
The Islanders hold a three point advantage over the ninth-seeded Florida Panthers for the last spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
The Islanders have picked up points in six of their last road games (4-1-2).
The Islanders power play ranks 28th in the NHL (16.8%).
The Islanders penalty kill ranks 4th in the NHL (83.1%).
The Islanders are 13th in faceoff win percentage (50.9%).
Who to Watch:
Quinton Byfield, who had a five-game assist streak (0-5=5) on Saturday. During that time, Byfield was also a plus-5.
Bo Horvat, who has nine points (5-4=9) in 16 gams since being acquired by the Islanders. Between his time with the Canucks and Islanders, Horvat has recorded 63 points (36-27=63) in 67 games this season.
