Byfield Back in Kings Lineup for Monday Night Trip to Rangers

The Los Angeles Kings will have Quinton Byfield back on Monday night. The forward is set to return to the lineup for the road game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden, after missing the past two games with an upper-body injury. Byfield was hurt on October 20 against the Washington Capitals, a game in which he lasted just 2:44 of ice time, and he had been listed as day to day ever since. Head coach Peter Laviolette had said earlier on Monday that he was hopeful the young centre would be able to play, after Byfield wore a noncontact jersey at Sunday's practice, and the club later confirmed his return. Through seven appearances this season, Byfield has one goal, one assist and two points, along with 14 shots on goal. His return restores an important piece to a Kings forward group that is already thin down the middle, although Mats Zuccarello remains out with an upper-body injury after leaving Saturday's loss at New Jersey early. Los Angeles opens its first back-to-back of the season in New York, and getting Byfield back gives the Kings a timely boost as their five-game road trip gathers pace.