Pressure is on Quinton Byfield and Kings in elimination game

In almost any other situation, in almost any other game, Quinton Byfield and the Kings would have celebrated his third-period goal Tuesday night against Edmonton with rounds of hugs and cheers instead of quick fist-bumps and a respectful tap or two on his helmet.

On almost any other occasion his goal, which he snapped home from the slot off a fine centering pass from Gabe Vilardi, would have sparked debates over whether Byfield had finally added the offensive dimension that has been missing from his game since the Kings chose the 6-foot-5 forward No. 2 overall in the 2020 NHL draft.

Yet his goal came during what essentially was garbage time and the Kings got no closer in a 6-3 loss that pushed them to within one loss of elimination from the Stanley Cup playoffs. Byfield’s first goal since he scored into an empty net March 14 and first with someone in net since Jan. 21 was overshadowed by their bleak circumstances.

It became a footnote. But it was more than that for a 20-year-old who had been playing wing instead of his natural center position and had to play against the likes of superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

“That goal wasn’t really important in the game, but it’s good for me just to know that I can score again, that I can look at the net and know I can beat the goaltender,” he said Friday, as the Kings ended an unusually long three-day break between games.

Of course, Byfield’s scoring struggles aren’t the only reason the Oilers took a 3-2 series lead and can advance to the second round against the Vegas Golden Knights if they defeat the Kings at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday.

The Kings’ inability to contain the Oilers’ power play — Edmonton is eight for 14 with a man advantage — is the…