Kings’ Quinton Byfield won’t play vs. Avalanche due to illness

The Los Angeles Kings announced on social media that forward Quinton Byfield won’t play in their Friday night matchup against the Colorado Avalanche due to an illness.

Byfield, 21, has 14 goals and 20 assists for 34 points in 45 games, averaging 15:34 of ice time with the Kings this season, his third full campaign with the club. In 144 career games, Byfield has scored 22 goals and 45 assists for 67 points.

Drafted No. 2 overall in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Byfield caught scouts attention when he scored 32 goals and 50 assists for 82 points with the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League. Since then, he has split his time between the NHL and the AHL’s Ontario Reign. However, this 2023-24 campaign is the first time he’s spent entirely with the big club.

Going into Friday night, the Kings are 22-14-9 with 53 points, fourth in the Pacific Division and holding onto one of the Western Conference’s Wild Card positions. However, since Dec. 28, the Kings have lost 12 of their last 14 games, and at once point lost eight straight.

Forward Adrian Kempe leads the team in scoring with 42 points (16 goals and 26 assists), followed by Kevin Fiala with 41 points (11 goals and 30 assists). Captain Anze Kopitar has 40 points (15 goald and 25 assists), and Byfield’s 34 points is fourth on the club.

After Friday’s game against the Avalanche, the Kings play two more games before the All-Star break: once against the St. Louis Blues on Sunday, and against the Nashville Predators next Wednesday.