Hiller's decisions around personnel deployment (playing Lewis over Kuzmenko on the FIRST line and overplaying Doughty who looked rough at times) and what looks like reverting back to the 1-3-1 for some ungodly reason are huge contributors to these losses. It's like he shows too much deference to McDavid and Draisaitl and a Darryl Sutter switch gets flipped in his head and he tries to win the game 3-2. For whatever reason, he refuses to believe his decision making has no bearing on these outcomes based on how he answered Dennis Bernstein's question. Hiller has done a GREAT job coaching the Kings so far but at this crucial stage, he needs to adjust whatever hang-up's he has and get the team over the hump.
Hiller’s comments and body language at the post game presser after game 4 upset me as much as the loss. He had a very deer in the headlights look and seemed out of place and out of sorts. I couldn’t help but think back to some of Darryl Sutter’s classics, especially in 2014 when things often seemed bleak. He was the unflappable anchor they needed behind the bench and this team needs a coach who won’t wilt. Hiller seems like he’s folding under pressure.
Coach Hiller said he thought the Kings skated well throughout the game. He must not have watched the third period and OT. Benching Kuzmenko and going into a defensive shell in three out of four games is the definition of insanity. (The Kings were lucky to win game 1.)
Helene, keep up the awesome reporting. It’s much appreciated.
I didn't forsee Hiller falling apart like this. Benching Spence? Limiting Clarkes' minutes? Not using Turcotte-Helenius-Malott? The one time I saw Sammy, he plastered three different Oilers into the boards. Man, Hiller's mystique is nose-diving like the Dow Jones right now.
Thank you, Helene. I wondered where the fourth line was. I wondered why the Kings were, once again, sitting back. I think the Kings are the better team, and like I Hiller, but I do not understand his current decisions. Watching until the end was frustrating, but I hope the Kings fans at Cryto cheer on the Kings with all their hearts for game five.
An inexperience comment but the kings will be ok. The oilers luck will run out as you don’t play catch up in the last 3-4 minutes of the game. It’s gonna be tough but this is playoff time and I love it! I don’t expect these two teams will go far in the playoffs tho
Not sure I share your optimism but I respect your opinion. The Kings are a better overall team than the Oilers but that means they have to get contributions from everyone, and no lapses. Hiller is playing some guys too much, which leads to fatigue and mistakes. Kings have to play nearly perfectly the rest of the way.
I think a lot about that hit that Dustin Brown made on Sedin in our first cup run. It solidified our rise above Vancouver and sent a message. Other than Kemper, Kempe and Fiala, I've not seen anyone trying to send those messages. Being passive has failed in Games 1, 3 and 4 and the entire world sees it. Even more frustrating is that Edmonton's defense is not good at all so pressuring them is not difficult and it keeps the puck out of your zone. Now would be a great time for the Kings to do what Blake said he wanted last year....be gritty and do the tough things. Sitting back is not it.
That was an incredibly disappointing finish. I don’t understand so many of Hiller’s decisions. He seems to be panicking and over coaching. I knew it was a big problem for this team when Jeannot went down and now we’re seeing how different this team is without him. This was a tough weekend to be a Kings fan.
Thanks for staying up so late to read this!
Thanks again for another great article!
I think we should let Helene Elliott behind the bench to coach game 5. 😇❤️🐶🐶
I agree that we sat back offensively, and it cost us the game.
Hiller's decisions around personnel deployment (playing Lewis over Kuzmenko on the FIRST line and overplaying Doughty who looked rough at times) and what looks like reverting back to the 1-3-1 for some ungodly reason are huge contributors to these losses. It's like he shows too much deference to McDavid and Draisaitl and a Darryl Sutter switch gets flipped in his head and he tries to win the game 3-2. For whatever reason, he refuses to believe his decision making has no bearing on these outcomes based on how he answered Dennis Bernstein's question. Hiller has done a GREAT job coaching the Kings so far but at this crucial stage, he needs to adjust whatever hang-up's he has and get the team over the hump.
Hiller’s comments and body language at the post game presser after game 4 upset me as much as the loss. He had a very deer in the headlights look and seemed out of place and out of sorts. I couldn’t help but think back to some of Darryl Sutter’s classics, especially in 2014 when things often seemed bleak. He was the unflappable anchor they needed behind the bench and this team needs a coach who won’t wilt. Hiller seems like he’s folding under pressure.
Sutter had extensive playoff coaching experience. Hiller had only last season’s five-game loss to Edmonton. He is too defensive—like his team.
Coach Hiller said he thought the Kings skated well throughout the game. He must not have watched the third period and OT. Benching Kuzmenko and going into a defensive shell in three out of four games is the definition of insanity. (The Kings were lucky to win game 1.)
Helene, keep up the awesome reporting. It’s much appreciated.
I didn't forsee Hiller falling apart like this. Benching Spence? Limiting Clarkes' minutes? Not using Turcotte-Helenius-Malott? The one time I saw Sammy, he plastered three different Oilers into the boards. Man, Hiller's mystique is nose-diving like the Dow Jones right now.
Thank you, Helene. I wondered where the fourth line was. I wondered why the Kings were, once again, sitting back. I think the Kings are the better team, and like I Hiller, but I do not understand his current decisions. Watching until the end was frustrating, but I hope the Kings fans at Cryto cheer on the Kings with all their hearts for game five.
An inexperience comment but the kings will be ok. The oilers luck will run out as you don’t play catch up in the last 3-4 minutes of the game. It’s gonna be tough but this is playoff time and I love it! I don’t expect these two teams will go far in the playoffs tho
Not sure I share your optimism but I respect your opinion. The Kings are a better overall team than the Oilers but that means they have to get contributions from everyone, and no lapses. Hiller is playing some guys too much, which leads to fatigue and mistakes. Kings have to play nearly perfectly the rest of the way.
Emotional comments than the brain :) love you Ms.helene!
You have always been so kind to me, and I appreciate that!
McSorley’s stick.
Byfield’s gaffe.
We need the harmonicas Tuesday.
How often has falling into a defensive shell cost a team in every sport we watch? Do they never learn?
I think a lot about that hit that Dustin Brown made on Sedin in our first cup run. It solidified our rise above Vancouver and sent a message. Other than Kemper, Kempe and Fiala, I've not seen anyone trying to send those messages. Being passive has failed in Games 1, 3 and 4 and the entire world sees it. Even more frustrating is that Edmonton's defense is not good at all so pressuring them is not difficult and it keeps the puck out of your zone. Now would be a great time for the Kings to do what Blake said he wanted last year....be gritty and do the tough things. Sitting back is not it.
That was an incredibly disappointing finish. I don’t understand so many of Hiller’s decisions. He seems to be panicking and over coaching. I knew it was a big problem for this team when Jeannot went down and now we’re seeing how different this team is without him. This was a tough weekend to be a Kings fan.
We all know prevent defense only prevents you from….. great write up
Father time is undefeated and Cousin Fatigue is coaching my team.
Maybe we shouldn't be so hard on Hiller; he probably thought OT was only 5 minutes still.