Byfield scores in OT, Kings blank Predators for 5th straight win

LOS ANGELES -- Quinton Byfield scored 3:20 into overtime to lift the Los Angeles Kings to their fifth straight win, 1-0 against the Nashville Predators at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday.

Byfield, who has scored in six straight games, tapped in a cross-slot pass from Adrian Kempe after he drove through the right circle. It is the longest goal streak by a Kings skater since Luc Robitaille’s 10-game run from Feb. 27-March 20, 1993.

“I mean, just trying to play how I always play, and right now I just feel like I just find the back of the net, I’m getting some bounces,” Byfield said.

It was Byfield’s second overtime goal during the streak after picking up the winner in a 2-1 victory against the St. Louis Blues on March 8.

“I’ve kind of said it before, like, I used to be scared of (overtime),” said Byfield, who hit the right post 33 seconds into the extra period. “Now, just going 3-on-3 with all that ice, it’s so much fun out there. I just [need to] enjoy being out there. You get a lot of time and space, and just make plays.”

Darcy Kuemper made 24 saves for the Kings (36-20-9), who are 9-0-3 in their past 12 home games. It was Kuemper’s fourth shutout of the season and second in a row following up a 21-save outing in a 3-0 win against the Washington Capitals on Thursday.

Kuemper is 12-0-1 in his past 13 home starts, the longest home point streak by a goaltender in Los Angeles history. Kelly Hrudey had a 12-game streak (11-0-0-1) Jan. 8-March 28, 1991.

“He was awesome,” Kings defenseman Mikey Anderson said of Kuemper. “I mean, he’s been like that, I think, the whole year, coming up with some big ones when we need him. But he looks calm, collected after all of them. So fun to watch him and he’s playing really well right now, which is really good for us.”

Justus Annunen made 20 saves for the Predators (25-33-8), who lost 2-1 at the Anaheim Ducks on Friday, dropping back-to-back games following a four-game winning streak.

“We played a solid game,” Nashville defenseman Brady Skjei said. “We really didn’t give them that much. ‘Juice’ played really good for us tonight. It’s one of those games where it wasn’t going to be the cleanest of games, and both teams were fine with that. Came down to overtime and a little bounce here and there. And we knew that was the way the game was going to end, and we just, unfortunately, didn’t get that bounce.”

After a complete performance against Washington, Los Angeles came out slow with only four shots on goal in the first period and two in the second.

The Kings fared better in the third period, carrying over the momentum after Kempe hit the post at 19:48 of the second on a power play, putting 12 shots on goal in the final frame and three in overtime.

“I think they played within 22 hours, so, you know, it’s a quick turnaround for them, and playing those games are definitely tough,” Byfield said. “For us, it wasn’t the cleanest game of hockey. Obviously, ‘Darce’ has been unreal for us, and did it again for us, just giving us a chance in that game. … I think, in the third, we simplified it and kind of just got to our game, just dumbed it down.”

The Predators were pleased with another strong defensive showing, holding an opponent to two goals or fewer for the fourth straight game (2-1-1), but Skjei said their offensive execution needed to improve to take advantage of that solidity.

“I think it comes down to making a few plays with the puck to score,” Skjei said. “Our D-zone has been pretty good and just got to work on getting pucks through neutral zone and then making some plays offensively. Defensemen getting shots through and just creating a little traffic in front and those arteries usually how you score in this league. Got to work a little bit more on that.”

NOTES: Kuemper got his 200th career win in 427 NHL games (200-143-53). … Predators forward Zachary L'Heureux returned after missing 12 games because of an upper-body injury. He had one shot on goal in 8:51 of ice time.