Jim Hiller and the Los Angeles Kings (19-16-13) hit the road for the short drive for the Freeway Faceoff in the home-and-home series in back-to-back games against the Anaheim Ducks (24-21-3) at the Honda Center in the Pacific Division this weekend on Saturday night (Jan. 17) yesterday.
Another overtime loss gives a missed chance in the standings in the West in the Pacific Division for Jim Hiller and the Los Angeles Kings this weekend vs. Anaheim
The Kings fell behind on the scoreboard yesterday on a goal from Mason McTavish in the opening frame in the first period in the Pacific Division on the road yesterday. Adrian Kempe fought back to tie the game up on the scoreboard for the Kings in the middle frame in the second period vs. Anaheim on the road.
For the second game in as many nights for Hiller and the Kings, the team went to overtime and picked up one point in the standings in the West in the Pacific Division in an overtime and/or shootout loss to the rival Ducks.
Hiller gave his thoughts and takeaways to the media yesterday after the frustrating and repetitive overtime loss, by a score of 2-1 vs. the Ducks on the road in the home-and-home series this weekend.
Yesterday was the third straight overtime and/or shootout loss in the Pacific Division in the West for Hiller and the Kings this past week vs. Anaheim and the Vegas Golden Knights this past Wednesday night.
Here's a look at everything Hiller said to the media postgame following the Kings' frustrating 2-1 overtime loss on the road to Anaheim in the Pacific Division in the back end of back-to-back games on Jan. 17.
Jim Hiller
On how the Kings played yesterday in the back end of back-to-back games vs. Anaheim
"I thought we were better yesterday. I thought we were poor in the first period and I thought Sammy Helenius, that to me was a wake-up call for our players. A great job by Sammy and he’s always willing to do that for himself or his team. I think he realized the moment and his team needed that. I don’t know if that woke some guys up and they felt like maybe I better get some physically involved in this hockey game. It was a great job by him."
On how Anton Forsberg played yesterday for the Kings vs. Anaheim in net
"Forsy’s played well for a while. It took him a little time to settle into the team, but if you look at his body of work over the last couple of months, you have to be nothing but impressed. I thought the two saves he made on the penalty kill late there, those were obviously a chance for us to come back and win the game, so those were really important.
He just looked solid. He moved the puck; he was very poised, so it looks like he’s getting really comfortable."
On how the power play performed on special teams yesterday vs. Anaheim for the Kings
"We had the puck in their zone. I didn’t think we executed well at all. I mean, that’s a nice 5-on-3, goal, that’s a high level of execution, but outside of that, I didn’t think we executed. We didn’t generate enough rubber at the net. We had some shots that went wide, that were blocked, some high tips, but no, we didn’t attack inside enough. So, if there was a chance for us to win the game, that would have been it. We didn’t execute."
On how the Kings can improve offensively, scoring the puck this regular season
"It's a similar story. I think we at 40 or something that were blocked or we missed. So, wasn't like that we didn't direct the puck at the net, but just didn't hit the hit the net enough times. I really believe the power play, you have all those opportunities. That's the time where you're going to put the game away or give yourself the best chance to put the game away. Didn't do it. And 5-on-5, it's tough for both teams to score."
On how the Kings can move past these overtime losses this week
"You go out there for two and a half hours, and you put in an effort, and then you guys talk to these guys, five minutes later they're pissed off, they're angry, they're frustrated, they're emotional as they should be. So, you got to take all that, wear it, and start fresh the next day. Tomorrow's an off day. You got to come back to practice Monday, and that's all you can do. They're professionals. That's why they're here. They understand how the game works. You have to clear your mind and get swinging again for the next game."
On how the Kings can improve moving forward in the West this regular season
"It’s not good enough. We talked about that, so we were playing well, but obviously, it’s not well enough. So, where are the other areas that we can improve?
Can he block one more shot? Can one guy win one more faceoff? You saw Laf stroke those two faceoffs; these are individuals. You’ve got to do more, because what we’re doing isn’t enough. That’s clear. That falls on everyone, coaches included."