Kempe, Byfield lead Kings past Flyers in OT

PHILADELPHIA — Adrian Kempe scored twice in regulation and assisted on a goal by Quinton Byfield in overtime to help the Kings beat the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Saturday.

Kempe scored twice in a span of 3:38 in the first period to give the Kings a 2-0 lead. After a Philadelphia rally, Kempe fed Byfield for his 10th goal of the season, a snap shot from the right circle that beat Flyers goalie Dan Vladar over his right shoulder.

Kempe’s 19th and 20th goals on the season broke a tie with Kevin Fiala for the team lead. The overtime helper to Byfield gave him a team-high 24 assists.

Andrei Kuzmenko, whom the Kings acquired from the Flyers at last season’s trade deadline, appeared to score a goal that would have extended the Kings’ lead to 3-0 in the first period, but the Flyers challenged that the play was offside, and after review the goal came off the board.

Philadelphia rallied behind goals from Trevor Zegras and Travis Konecny to force overtime.

Konecny has scored in three straight games for Philadelphia, and has registered at least one point in seven of his last eight.

He had a chance to win the game for Philadelphia in overtime, but his shot on a breakaway rang off the crossbar.

Darcy Kuemper made 19 saves for the Kings (22-17-3). Vladar made 18 stops for Philadelphia (24-20-9), which has dropped four straight games and lost for the 11th time in 13 games.

Kings captain Anze Kopitar returned to the lineup after missing 11 games due to a lower-body injury. Kopitar needs one point to become the 39th player in NHL history to register 1,300 points in a career.

The Kings, who have won three of four on the road trip, wrap up their five-game away stint Sunday at Carolina. They host Seattle on Wednesday and Vegas on Thursday before the nearly three-week Olympic break.