An early two-goal deficit on the scoreboard yesterday was a costly start for Jim Hiller and the Los Angeles Kings (18-15-10) on the road to start a two-game road trip in the West vs. the Winnipeg Jets (16-22-5) in Canada. The Kings fell behind on the scoreboard 3-0 in the middle frame in the second period, and didn't have the push back to gain any momentum in the final frame in the third period.
Jim Hiller and the Los Angeles Kings continue to struggle in the West with a shorthanded active roster lineup vs. Winnipeg on Friday evening
In the back end of back-to-back games in the West in Canada this weekend, the Kings and Hiller will need to refocus and get more energy out of the gates in the opening frame in the first period vs. the rival Edmonton Oilers on the road on Saturday.
Hiller gave his reaction to the media yesterday after the horrid four-goal loss on the road to the Jets in Winnipeg in the front end of back-to-back games.
Yesterday was the Kings' 10th loss in the past 14 games in the West in this past few weeks for the team.
Here's a look at everything Hiller said to the media postgame following the Kings' convincing 5-1 loss on the road vs. the Jets on Friday night (Jan. 9).
Jim Hiller
On how he felt his team played vs. Winnipeg yesterday
"They always play pretty well. It’s hard to feel like there’s a desperate team in the league right now, every single team feels like that every night. It’s well documented how close the league is. There’s no easy games. But that was what I expected from them."
On the big weaknesses for the Kings vs. Winnipeg yesterday
"It’s hard, you have to go back through and look at it again, but we started fine. Really, it was probably their power play, I think, got some momentum with five minutes left in the first period. I didn’t think they had much prior to that, besides the goal. So that set us back just a little bit.
And then, we have a chance to bury one. We didn’t get it. I would say they had some timely goals. They certainly didn’t spend a lot of time in our zone, but they had some good rush attack; they’ve got some guys that can finish. So that was probably the difference."
On the thought process behind making the goalie change in the third period
"He’s played a lot. He gets a couple tough ones, funny bounces, not on him at all. Felt like at that time, let’s get him out of there and get him some rest, if nothing else. He’s had a really good run since coming back, so not evaluating on how he played."
On if making the switch could help Anton Forsberg this weekend
"Yeah, I don't think it can hurt. You don't want to run him too hard, but he got a period. He didn't get much action. I think they only had a couple shots, but still, you're in there. You know, he hasn't played in a while, so that should help him."
On so many bounces going against the Kings yesterday
"We didn’t get too many bounces our way, that’s what I would say. We had another night of 80 shot attempts and around the net. When you end up with one goal on 80 shot attempts, you didn’t get a lot of puck luck, I would say. But, that is the game, and too often we’ve had that type of story this year where we’ve had a lot of pucks, a lot of traffic, and just haven’t found a way. So, it’ll change. They tell us it all balances out in the end. So we’re looking forward to that happening soon."
On Quinton Byfield needing to have more confidence offensively for the Kings
"We had a handful of those. That one is probably the most obvious example. They scored a couple from, you know, one from behind the net, the other one just throwing it at the net, a nice tip. You have to shoot the puck. You’re a team that’s not scoring a lot of goals, you’ve got it direct everything and you get anything inside that slot area, I don’t think we have to overthink it. Power play we did it a couple times too. I mean, we could have shot when we looked for one more pass. It’s kind of an old story for us this year. There’s not a real good answer for that. You have to take your shot."
On how the younger forwards are doing in the active roster lineup for the Kings new to the team
"It’s a funny game. They’re up 5-1, so at that point, they don’t have to do much, just protect the fort, so we understand how that goes. But, tough the first game, I thought this game, we saw more from Lee, more from Ward, coming back up. I thought this game they certainly left a much better impression than the last one. So that was good for both of them."