With one win in three games, it’s been a rocky start for the LA Kings. On top of opening the season with eight of 11 games on the road, they’re about to play in their fourth straight contest against a playoff team from last season.
Coach Jim Hiller isn’t looking for excuses or explanations. He does want to see some improvement, though.
“Game 74 versus Winnipeg last year, [we] just looked so much different,’ Hiller noted, as he attempted to explain the difference between looking at a team early in the regular season compared to how they potentially appear months later.
“You’d like it to look like that right now; it just doesn’t yet,” he continued. “You can see where we have to get to. It’ll take some time, but I think early, the teams that can get there the fastest, they do have an advantage. So that’s what we need to do.”
Even with a pretty similar roster, the few offseason additions made by GM Ken Holland were designed to strengthen what Hiller had to work with during LA’s 2025-26 campaign.
“what I thought last year, what happened is the team had such a strong vibe — such a great spirit — that it carries you along and maybe you can perform at your peak,” said LA’s bench boss. “So, the challenge for this year is for those same players — and with the new players too — to build that spirit again.”
He went on to talk about moments, like a Jeff Malott fight or the comeback victory in Vegas, being ‘steps’ necessary to build back that spirit he was talking about.
“Now, it takes a long time,” he remarked. “The two points [in Vegas] were really important. But, for me, the belief and the build of the team spirit, what you’re capable of, that gets us down that path. And that’s the most important thing.”
For somebody like Mikey Anderson, the Kings current trip also comes with something a little bit more than just time on the road with his teammates.
“It’s always fun going home,” said the Minnesota native. “I’m able to see some buddies and have dinner with family, so that’s always nice.”
This particular Winnipeg-Minnesota schedule pairing also feels familiar in other ways for Anderson, as it reminds him of his days as a youth hockey player.
“We would go up to Winnipeg every summer to play in a tournament,” he shared. “Growing up, we thought it was the best thing ever, just because it’s Canada. I have a lot of fun memories from going up there as a kid. Now, there are some ties there too because of guys who used to play for the Kings and a few guys from Duluth are there.”
Reminiscing is great and all, yet — like Fiala — Anderson seems more focused on helping this year’s Kings squad iron out some wrinkles and get back to their winning ways. However, he wasn’t too interested in a narrative involving the defensive group needing time to sort things out. They’re all NHL veterans and they know what to do.
“Obviously, it’s still a pretty similar group on the blueline,” he said. “We have some things to clean up, absolutely. But we’re a solid group. I’ve played with Dewey. You have Clarkie and Eddie; and we only brought in Dumo and Ceci.”
Sounding like a coach, Anderson went to reemphasize the importance of special teams.
“We’ve already faced some pretty good power plays,” he said. “Six penalties against in a game? Things like that are going to cost you at some point. So, I think that’s probably the the area to clean up a little bit.”
For Kevin Fiala, he’s all in. The initial part of LA’s season maybe hasn’t gone as planned, but he’s locked in.
“We always try to take the positive with us,” said Fiala, reflecting back on some of the Kings early season challenges. “The chemistry is here. We know each other and all that. Things have to change a little bit, though. Not with the personalities, but we need to attack more.”
After linking that comment back to the team’s fourth staight playoff loss to Edmonton in last year’s playoffs, Fiala then used the same word Hiller did above.
“This is a new season with a new team, and we need to get the team spirit going again,” remarked the 29-year-old Swiss born forward. “We have a lot of the same players, same lines; that helps, for sure. I think we’re very comfortable on that end. Still, we need new power, you know; like, attack mode needs to be back on.”
They’ll get another chance to power up this evening in Minnesota… hopefully with fewer penalties.
Follow @mayorsmanor
MORE LA KINGS NEWS:
Note to webmasters/reporters: When recapping news or interviews from this site please remember to include a link to www.MayorsManor.com
Continue reading...