GDT ***Playoffs Round 1 Game 6 GDT LA Kings @ Edmonton Oilers >>7:00pm<< on FanDuel & ESPN***

[emsomaso]

There is no one on this team other than Byfield and Clarke who can be moved for a first rounder, let alone a high first rounder, and those are the only two guys that should be untouchable. The good news is if they get someone smart behind the wheel, who thinks like Lombardi, you build from the net out, and goalie is the only position where they have a strong prospect pool

I know we’re all ”a bit” down right now, but come on now! If we’re moving Kempe (which we shouldn’t) of course he will fetch a first rounder and more. I’m pretty sure Fiala would get us another first, but him and Kempe is NOT the problem with this team…

 

[Hockey53]

100% on Hiller

You are correct ChiKingFan,and he should have been fired before he got behind the mic before his post game interview,for having the Kings play prevent defense in games 3&4 with a 2 goal lead going into the third period.
On the other hand,with the Kings misfiring on a 2 minute/2 man advantage power play and not scoring an empty net goal in 3 tries that would have put game 3 in thier back pocket and a 3-0 game lead in the series.Then in game 4,to put the game away,the Kings missed 2 empty nets,gave the oilers not only an opportunity to tie and win the game in Ot,but also tie the series at 2-2,and reverse 4 game sweep.
Thank you Nick Nickson for your 44 years of Kings broadcasting,Wishing you and your family,an enjoyable and healthy retirement

 

[waynet]

Fair winds and following seas to Nick, a class act from the Bob Miller mold. Most frustrating to watch a successful team abruptly morph into a few lines of worn out players. Hiller was the worst member of the Kings, followed in close order by the 2 "legends". They should take a cue from Nick and retire gracefully. Decent core, no rebuild needed, just get younger. Happy summer to all.

 

[WuwuKennyWu]

I am just glad I have my Saturday to look forward to.

They don’t need to be competing for another playoff run until they get rid of Kopi/Doughty as the core. It’s sort of been long overdue. I wanted one last cup with those two as much as anyone else but we have to finally admit it’s time for a legitimate changing of the guard.

Now is the time to build around Byfield and Clarke. I think Kempe will walk for a better contract and a legitimate run at the cup elsewhere, sadly. We need a goaltender to lock down the position for several years - hopefully this is Portillo - and we need to re-stock the cabinet of prospects to develop. We have a lot of guys on the team who are north-south hockey players and that’s it. The team needs a new identity as a whole. “Home ice Kings with an inept power play 80% of the season” ain’t it.

 

[kIngsX]

Look, Hiller deserves all the blame he's getting. He almost certainly singlehandedly cost this team the series. And let's stipulate that Blake deserves credit for getting Kuemper to paper over the Dubois debacle, and for getting Kuzmenkov to kickstart the power play.

But let's imagine a team that didn't need Kuz because they already had a highly skilled right shot on the PP (Vilardi). Think they could have gotten Kuemper from Washington for something less than Kupari, Iafallo, and a 2nd? Pretty sure they could have. Blake somewhat dug himself out of a hole he created, but his fingerprints are all over this loss.

Nothing is going to happen to the front office because Phil doesn't care. There's a fine line between an owner that's too active and one that's not active enough, but right now, no one with authority is invested in putting together a winning team, because no one is accountable. It sucks, but that's where we are.

I posted this in another thread, but Frank Seravelli on Daily Faceoff said there’s a contract for Blake on the table, but he’s not signing it. Perhaps he was awaiting the outcome of these playoffs

 

[Dr. Tran]

On this game I was hoping for a balls to the walls effort. And I'd say we got it. But it makes me wonder, where was this in the 3rd periods of games 3 & 4, and all of game 5? We also finally got more playing time for the 4th line, Clarke, & Spence. And they did pretty well. So why weren't they played like this the whole series? I wasn't going to say it because I still hoped to win this game. But my thought before the game was that if we lost then Hiller shouldn't be let on the team plane. I guess he could be let on the plane but I don't know if he should coach this team. And I don't know if any team that wants to win in the playoffs should hire him. More than anybody, this loss is on him. And even in the post game press conference he refused to admit that not playing the bottom guys more might have cost us the series.

As far as Doughty, I know he made some glaring mistakes. But he was voted 3rd star this game. Also, he's recovering from injury. I don't know how much he's injured, but he's not 100%. Let's give him an off-season to fully recover & train before we kick him off the team.

I've been watching Kings playoff games since 1993. And I've seen us get swept by St Louis in 1998 & Detroit in 2000. And this one feels worse than even those. Because take away the 1st 2 games & it was essentially a sweep. But it's worse because this was the 1st time since before '93 that the Kings had home ice in the 1st round. And we blew it. There's probably people thinking this Kings team will never beat that Oilers team but I don't believe that. We could've & should've neaten them if not for Hiller.And I've never thought 1 person or 1 play could cost us a series until now.

 

[symbology]

There is no one on this team other than Byfield who can be moved for a first rounder, let alone a high first rounder, and that is the only guy that should be untouchable. The good news is if they get someone smart behind the wheel, who thinks like Lombardi, you build from the net out, and goalie is the only position where they have a strong prospect pool

Fixed it for you.

 

[Madness20721]

Kopitar is signed through the end of next season; the Kings can run Kopi out there for his last year and then put his jersey in the rafters. However, he is no longer a 1C, but the AK-AK-AK line is a keeper, if the Kings can re-signed Kuz. I can't see him demanding a huge contract.

In order for that to happen, Doughy MUST be traded this off season so the Kings can get something of value for him. Doughty is signed through the end of 26-27...the Kings can't afford to keep paying him for declining performance.

Hiller MUST be replaced.

Kuemper had a career year; would like to see if he can repeat is performance in his final year, but musical goalies has been going on for far too long.

Players off the books this off season:
Gavrikov - I'd like to see him back; he's a solid and reliable D
Kuzmenko - I'd like him back on the Kemp - Kopitar - Kuzi line
Jeannott - I have no feelings one way or the other
Lafierrere - I'd like to see him back
Rittich - Not sure what to do with this guy
Lewis - Thanks for the memories and the two Cups, Trevor!
Ward - I don't know anything about this guy
Fagemo - Same...no idea

 

[deathb4dux]

I am just glad I have my Saturday to look forward to.

They don’t need to be competing for another playoff run until they get rid of Kopi/Doughty as the core. It’s sort of been long overdue. I wanted one last cup with those two as much as anyone else but we have to finally admit it’s time for a legitimate changing of the guard.

Now is the time to build around Byfield and Clarke. I think Kempe will walk for a better contract and a legitimate run at the cup elsewhere, sadly. We need a goaltender to lock down the position for several years - hopefully this is Portillo - and we need to re-stock the cabinet of prospects to develop. We have a lot of guys on the team who are north-south hockey players and that’s it. The team needs a new identity as a whole. “Home ice Kings with an inept power play 80% of the season” ain’t it.

As hard as that is to read and accept (at least me anyway, probably others too) you are right.

 

[DoubleMinor]

Against my better judgement I am going to write a few thoughts.

This series was beyond disappointing. The Kings were in a very good position to win this series but found a way to lose it.

It is fair to question the coaching decisions and it is fair to question the players. I suppose it is also fair to question the front office.

But, this team finished in second place in their division with over 100 points. It was a much better team this year than the most recent years.

What I have seen in comments on this board is that just about everyone should either be fired or traded in response to individual game losses or the series loss.

I get that we all deal with things in various ways. Some take things more personally than others. We all have the right to process things as we see fit.

My sense of this series result was (among other things) that Hiller chose to run three lines because he was too hesitant to play a fourth line of players who had zero playoff experience. The loss of Jeannot really made that a difficult decision. In some ways I think that fourth line was a year away from having the confidence from the coach. I thought this was a main concern going into the playoffs.

I’ve seen criticism of the PP and the five forwards with regard to Kempe not being in his prior position. I get that. But Kempe has to be the guy at the top to be able to use his speed and defensive ability to defend the potential counterattack. If not Kempe then who?

Reading comments from the coach and players it does seem clear that the strategy in games 3/4 was definitely not to sit back but that’s what the players did. Why? Why would the players play that way? Sometimes it’s the fear of losing instead of the desire to win.

The last four seasons playoff losses are similar to the pre-Cup losses against VAN and SJ. Very bitter.
Those teams had to learn how to win. They had to learn how to rise to the playoff level. This team has not done that.
Whether it is physical and mental toughness, avoiding the nervousness, fighting off momentary crisis of confidence, this team just isn’t able to do it.

Those Cup teams had a group of players who knew how to win in the playoffs with the players like Williams, Greene, Stoll, Richards, Mitchell and Scuderi. I don’t know if this team has that.

We can complain about lots of things. But this is a talented team that just hasn’t produced when it matters. Again, it is fair to look at all aspects, including the GM and Coach.

I’ve said this before about the burn it down response…who do you bring in as GM and/or Coach, and what do they do? What does a new coach bring that is missing? What does a new GM do differently? As an example: Is Tocchet better? What has he done to make anyone think things get better? Does a new GM make the acquisitions to be a better playoff team or does he blow it up and rebuild?

I think my main takeaway is that the Coach is not immune from criticism. But mostly this series loss is on the players more than anything. They were in position to win but found a way to lose. I think this result mainly rests on the shoulders of the players.

If Blake and Hilier do not return, it’s fine with me. If they do return, it’s fine with me as well. I try to keep in mind that these guys are lifelong hockey people who know far more about what goes on than I do. I’m far removed from lots of the information and details that they have easy access to.

 

[Madness20721]

I think my main takeaway is that the Coach is not immune from criticism. But mostly this series loss is on the players more than anything. They were in position to win but found a way to lose. I think this result mainly rests on the shoulders of the players.

Wrong. Hiller's decision to challenge that goal in Game 3 was the dagger the Oilers needed. Instead of being tied 4-4 and playing the way they won games 1 and 2, Hiller panicked and made a stupid decision, and it cost the team that game and the series. If he doesn't challenge that goal, the Kings could have found a way to win that game and go up 3-0.

 

[Johnnysuede71]

Wrong. Hiller's decision to challenge that goal in Game 3 was the dagger the Oilers needed. Instead of being tied 4-4 and playing the way they won games 1 and 2, Hiller panicked and made a stupid decision, and it cost the team that game and the series. If he doesn't challenge that goal, the Kings could have found a way to win that game and go up 3-0.

I agree. But that said there is 100 percent NO EXCUSE for the team's performance in game 5. They played like beaten and cowering dogs and that's on THEM. Full Stop.

 

[DRGinLBC]

Is sad that the harmonica ladies provided me more enjoyment than the Kings this playoff run.

 

[Statue4Deano]

It’s the next day and I continue to be more angry than unhappy. That was the single most disappointing playoff series I’ve ever experienced in my Kings fandom (started in ‘95).

This team should be in the 2nd round. It’s still the best roster they’ve had since 2014. Hiller ran his horses into the ground for absolutely no reason. Rolling 3 lines and 4 d-men was absolutely asinine. Kempe in particular didn’t have any legs after Game 3.

**** Jim Hiller.

 

[DoubleMinor]

Wrong. Hiller's decision to challenge that goal in Game 3 was the dagger the Oilers needed. Instead of being tied 4-4 and playing the way they won games 1 and 2, Hiller panicked and made a stupid decision, and it cost the team that game and the series. If he doesn't challenge that goal, the Kings could have found a way to win that game and go up 3-0.

I believe many things can be viewed as pivotal but none are the sole reason the Kings lost this series.
A blatant and obvious tripping penalty ignored by the refs, a shot off the post by Fiala, a missed clear by Byfield, several missed empty net shots, etc, all were crucial but all were not the single cause of the series loss.
Hillers decision to challenge was mystifying. I think it was a big mistake. But I hardly think it’s honest to say that caused the Kings to lose the entire series. Yeah, the Kings could have won that game. They also could have lost. No one knows.

The Kings did not lose the series over a decision in one game, as bad as it was.
I am not defending Hiller or that decision. I’m simply stating that the Kings had great opportunities to win four games and blew two of them. It’s not only Hiller. There is plenty of blame to go around. I happen to think the players deserve their share in the collapse.

 

[LB49er]

I’ve said this before about the burn it down response…who do you bring in as GM and/or Coach, and what do they do? What does a new coach bring that is missing? What does a new GM do differently? As an example: Is Tocchet better? What has he done to make anyone think things get better? Does a new GM make the acquisitions to be a better playoff team or does he blow it up and rebuild?

I think my main takeaway is that the Coach is not immune from criticism. But mostly this series loss is on the players more than anything. They were in position to win but found a way to lose. I think this result mainly rests on the shoulders of the players.

If Blake and Hilier do not return, it’s fine with me. If they do return, it’s fine with me as well. I try to keep in mind that these guys are lifelong hockey people who know far more about what goes on than I do. I’m far removed from lots of the information and details that they have easy access to.

I stated (I believe more than once this season) this was a “black hole” team, at best. It had all the hallmarks of it: dumpster dives like Kuemper and Kuzmenko exceeding expectations, relying on an aging Kopitar to carry the team, no collective toughness as a team, and no playoff Mr. Game 7 types like Richards, Williams, Mitchell, etc.

Everyone was so joyful about our home record. I always saw it as a red flag. A well rounded team can win on the road too.

As for what a new GM and coach would do, if it’s done right, is establish that the team is serious about winning and is going to rebuild the foundation from the ground up. We have some solid young talent in Byfield, Clarke, Spence, and Greentree on the way. The foundation is there.

For the GM, I would like an early Lombardi type. Set out a five-year plan. Accept LA will not be a fun place to play for veterans (because we’ll suck as the young guys grow). But sign character, aging veterans that will help develop the young guys. In the end, there’s still a product to sell, so they’ll have to sign the occasional “name” to sell tickets, but overall, keep all high draft picks and promising prospects.

As for the coach, nothing much will change. I agree. I just went Hiller gone for th stupid prevent defense, the outrageously stupid coach’s challenge, and his stubbornness and lack of professionalism following losses.

And certainly NOTHING will change based on who is wearing the “C” either.

 

[Pevsfreedom]

It’s the next day and I continue to be more angry than unhappy. That was the single most disappointing playoff series I’ve ever experienced in my Kings fandom (started in ‘95).

This team should be in the 2nd round. It’s still the best roster they’ve had since 2014. Hiller ran his horses into the ground for absolutely no reason. Rolling 3 lines and 4 d-men was absolutely asinine. Kempe in particular didn’t have any legs after Game 3.

**** Jim Hiller.

I passed into I think the resentment stage fairly quickly as in I don't want to watch until Hiller is gone. Was the Kings game to lose and welp they sure did. I don't know how you can be optimistic and ready to go again next year and do the EXACT SAME THING that's happened the last 4 but.. at least we make the playoffs? "We were right there" -management. Summer heals many wounds but IDK about this one.