It could’ve been a completely different story for the Los Angeles Kings had they emerged victorious in their Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round matchup against the Edmonton Oilers. However, that remains conjecture. What’s undeniable is that the Kings saw their NHL season end at the hands of the Oilers for the fourth consecutive year. Now, the franchise has parted ways with General Manager Rob Blake, who was responsible for key draft selections, including Quinton Byfield.
It’s been a whirlwind few days for Byfield and the Kings. In less than a week, they watched their 2-0 series lead over the Oilers vanish, ultimately being eliminated in six games after suffering four straight losses to Edmonton.
Shortly after, the franchise announced the decision to move on from their vice-president and general manager, Blake, with the roster now mired in an abyss of uncertainty as they embark into the offseason.
Byfield, who was selected by Blake and the Kings with the 2nd overall selection in the 2020 NHL entry Draft, registered four points throughout the series against the Oilers, but it wasn’t enough. The more things change, the more they stay the same ,and that seems to be the case in the City of Angels as the Kings feel destined to lose to the Oilers in the first round time and again.
Los Angeles Kings General Manager Rob Blake watches on during a NHL International Series Media Opportunity at Parliament House on September 18, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia.
Groundhog’s Day
This year felt different—and yet, the puck didn’t bounce Los Angeles’ way. The elimination triggered a domino effect that brought down the house of cards in LA.
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After Blake’s firing, the entire roster couldn’t help but feel somewhat responsible for his departure. Byfield, in particular, reflected on the dreaded Game 4, where the Kings squandered a two-goal lead in the third period and ultimately lost in overtime at Rogers Place—a game that could’ve given them a 3-1 series lead heading back to Crypto.com Arena.
“I’ll think about that all summer,” Byfield admitted about the Kings’ late collapse during the fourth game of the series, per Dennis Bernstein on X.
Don’t go anywhere
While the loss stings and will linger in the Kings’ locker room during the offseason, it will fuel their drive for the upcoming NHL season. Los Angeles will be determined to break their first-round exit skid.
Quinton Byfield #55 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates a goal against the Anaheim Ducks in the first period at Crypto.com Arena on April 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
“There’s a hunger in this dressing room,” Warren Foegele stated in a comment aimed at any free agent considering a move to the Kings.
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There is certainly a thirst for success as the Kings’ last playoff victory came during the 2013-14 Stanley Cup Playoffs, when they hoisted Lord Stanley that summer. Still, there’s hope within the organization that when their next series win comes, it will mark the beginning of an even more memorable run.
