Head coach Jim Hiller and the Los Angeles Kings (4-1-0) rebounded with a clutch 3-2 win over the Utah Mammoth (0-4-1), thanks to a late third-period goal from forward Taylor Ward, on Tuesday night. The Kings have now scored at least three goals in all four wins in the preseason slate this fall.
Jim Hiller and the Los Angeles Kings will finish the preseason with a winning record after a close 3-2 victory over the Mammoth on Tuesday
The Kings have a rematch against the Mammoth this fall in the preseason on the road at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, UT, on Thursday night (6 p.m. PT) before the preseason finale at Crypto.com Arena on Oct. 4 against the Anaheim Ducks this upcoming weekend.
After the game, Hiller provided an update on the injury to defenseman Kyle Burroughs for the Kings, and his thoughts on the win over the Mammoth in Boise last night (Sep. 30).
Jim Hiller said initial looks at Burroughs were negative but the team will get a better sense once they get back to LA. Used the term "precaution" as to not putting Burroughs back in the game, so hopefully nothing serious. https://t.co/zgbFc1Ynd6
— Zach Dooley (@DooleyLAK) October 1, 2025
Here's everything Hiller said to the media after the Kings' 3-2 win over the Mammoth in the preseason at Idaho Central Arena in Boise, ID, on Sep. 30.
Jim Hiller
On Kyle Burroughs' injury
"He got banged up. We got a look at him and the results were negative but you never know on this type of thing. So, precaution and we’ll have to get a closer look at him tomorrow."
On the decisions made by him and the front office with Ken Holland
"It’s something we talk about, but I would tell you that every time we’ve discussed it, whether I go first or he goes first, we’ve been in complete alignment. We’ve talked to the other coaches, we’ve talked to the other management people, I think it’s kind of sorted itself out pretty well. I don’t know that there’s too many real debates at this point."
On how critical the game vs. the Mammoth was for players on the bubble for the opening-night roster
"I thought it was. And it was an NHL defense over there in Utah tonight, a good defense, and so the level of competition goes up for you. Can you push through? Who can get forechecking? Who can get protect the puck? And it was hard. I didn’t think we had that much, and that’s a challenge, that you’ve got to assert yourself and catch the coach’s attention, the manager’s attention. I didn’t think we had too many guys that did that today."
On Taylor Ward impressing him and the coaching staff this fall in the preseason
"He’s just been pretty good all over the ice. Three goals, some late power-play goals, he’s made some passes as well, gets into a really good fight, like he’s just getting himself noticed. He’s doing lots of stuff without the puck, blocking shots, there’s a guy I would also throw in there with [Jeff Malott] as maybe as somebody who’s really raised his stock in the camp. He got a chance to play at the end of the season, did a good job, had a good summer, and sometimes just a little bit gives you that confidence that, hey, I can play. He’s come back with that attitude this year, that, hey, you know what, I got my taste, I’m an NHL player, I’m going to make a push."
On Pheonix Copley's play last night and him spending part of his offseason in Idaho
"He stopped the breakaway and thought he was probably the difference in the game in the end. He made big saves early, even though he didn’t have as much work and then at the end they were all over us, so I thought it was a great homecoming. I hope he had a lot of people here tonight, I don’t know how many he had, but when he gets back in the summer sometime, maybe somebody would buy him a beer after a performance like that."
On playing in front of a great crowd in Boise, ID
"What a great crowd. First of all, the first impression is walking into the building and seeing what a beautiful building, what a great, energetic crowd. It was full, lots of energy, you could tell they’re a hockey crowd. There’s been good hockey played here for a lot of years. They understood the game, and hopefully they liked the effort of both teams, and we certainly appreciated their support."