Positive takeaways and small wins on the ice aren't sufficient for Jim Hiller and the Los Angeles Kings (15-12-9) going into the holiday break for Christmas later this week. The Kings dropped a winnable game in the Pacific Division in the West in the back end of back-to-back games yesterday (Dec. 23) against the Seattle Kraken (15-14-6)
Jim Hiller and the Los Angeles Kings could soon fall out of the playoff picture in the standings in the West this week
The Kings got too far behind on the scoreboard in the middle frame in the second period yesterday. Seattle jumped out to a comfortable 3-0 lead on the scoreboard, which was too much for the Kings' comeback efforts in the game's final frame in the third period last night on home ice.
Hiller gave his thoughts and reactions to the media yesterday after the one-goal loss to Seattle before the holiday break for Christmas later this week.
There isn't much momentum that Hiller and the Kings take into the holiday break for Christmas this upcoming week in the next few days before the return to action this upcoming weekend.
Here's a look at everything Hiller said to the media postgame following the Kings' 3-2 loss on home ice in the back end of back-to-back games to Seattle on Dec. 23.
Jim Hiller
On the Kings getting behind by multiple goals on the scoreboard in the second period vs. Seattle
"What was disappointing was us not having hit the back of the net. I thought we had some really good looks up until that point, didn’t feel like that was a game we should’ve been down 3-0. If you said it was 1-0, that would’ve been disappointing, because for me we had enough looks to certainly get the first one and get the lead."
On the Kings' shot discrepancy on the stat sheet yesterday
"We played in their zone. I think probably spent more time there than I can remember. The forecheck was good, physical, stole pucks, give them credit, they had people in and around their net, the goalie played good, and the two goals we scored were I thought pretty nice goals and just didn’t get the random goals that have been difficult for us to come by this year. We’ve had some other nights where we’ve thrown 70 or 80 at the net and came up short."
On how the Kings played with the forward lines vs. Seattle
"There was a lot of things to like offensively about the game, and really, we didn’t give them that much going the other way. You like the fact that we generated, Kuzy, I thought was, maybe his best he’s been all year from start to finish, I know he scored the goal but you saw him handle the puck under the goal line, control it, so that was a real positive for us.
I thought the physicality, in particular Kempe, Byfield, and Laferriere, was a positive for us. But in the end, we don’t win the game, so that’s the feeling we take with us."
On the Kings going into the holiday break for Christmas this week
"The coaches and management never spend a day not thinking about it, I hope the players are able to relax and refresh themselves, it’s been from September until now, with the schedule and now busy it is and 85 percent of our games we’ve been playing within one goal, it’s taxing physically and mentally so I’m sure those guys need a break."
On what he said to the team before the holiday break this week
"I didn't talk to them tonight. I don't usually talk to them after a loss, and I don't know that they want to see me after a win too often and after a loss. It's just it's not a great feeling. So, they self-reflect. We'll give them that time on their own."
On the importance of the game this upcoming Saturday
"I mean, it is just another game, but we all know, there's probably more than just another game. It's going to be a great lively building. They're ahead of us in the standings. We need to win. So, there's all those things. I don't think you have to build it up much more than that. Those things are staring us right in the face. So, you know, there's enough on the line."
On fixing the penalty kill on special teams for the Kings
"That's a part of the plan for the Christmas break. Those will be discussions. We can't just clear our heads. There's there's always work to do. There's always discussions and and you're always thinking about it. What can we do differently or sometimes it's not even different, it's just better. And so we have to make sure we have to understand is it different or is it just doing it better."