In an effort to turn their season around, the Los Angeles Kings have made a coaching change, firing Todd McLellan and appointing Jim Hiller as the interim coach for the rest of the season. General manager Rob Blake expressed hope that Hiller's different approach and style would bring about positive changes for the team.
While Blake remained vague about the specific changes Hiller would bring, he did mention that the interim coach would have time to work with the team before their next game on Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers, who have been on an impressive 16-game winning streak, could even tie the NHL record for consecutive victories before facing the Kings.
Currently holding the first wild-card spot in the competitive Western Conference with 56 points, the Kings are treading on thin ice, as they are only four points away from falling out of playoff contention. Sitting three points behind the Oilers for third place in the Pacific Division, the Kings recognize the importance of staying in the playoff race.
The Kings' season has been a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows. They started strong, tying the most points in team history after 31 games, but their performance has dipped since late December. With a record of 3-8-6 in their past 17 games, the Kings have struggled to secure victories. A string of five one-goal losses in regulation or overtime contributed to McLellan's dismissal after four-plus seasons with the team.
Blake explained that the decision to change coaches was motivated by the team's lackluster performances of late. He believes the team has played disconnected and failed to reach the desired level in terms of offense, defense, and overall gameplay. The hope is that Hiller can help restore the cohesion and effectiveness the team displayed earlier in the season.
Acknowledging that his decision to fire McLellan also puts his own job security on the line, Blake emphasized that the team's goal is to make the playoffs. With only 34 games left in the regular season, the Kings need to optimize their performance and accumulate wins in order to secure a postseason berth.
Hiller, who had been assisting with the team's power-play unit, now faces the challenge of reviving the Kings' offense and getting Pierre-Luc Dubois back on track. The team's goal-scoring has significantly declined, averaging just 2.35 goals per game in their last 17 matches, which is the third-worst in the league.
Dubois, acquired from the Winnipeg Jets in the offseason and signed to a lucrative eight-year contract, has struggled to make an impact this season. Despite leading the league in scoring during the first two months, Dubois has only managed 10 goals and 20 points in 47 games. Hiller will need to find a way to unlock Dubois' potential and help him regain his scoring touch.
This is Hiller's first opportunity as an NHL head coach, although he brings experience from coaching the Tri-City Americans at the junior level in the Western Hockey League for five seasons. He has also served as an assistant under esteemed coaches like Mike Babcock in Detroit, Toronto, and Barry Trotz with the New York Islanders before joining the Kings last season.
With the coaching change now in effect, the Los Angeles Kings hope that Hiller's fresh approach will reinvigorate the team and lead them to a successful second half of the season. As the pressure mounts and the playoff race intensifies, the Kings understand that their performance will ultimately be judged by their wins and losses on the ice.
