Jim Hiller and the Los Angeles Kings (16-14-9) rung in the New Year for 2026 on home ice on Jan. 1 yesterday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Lightning (24-13-3) in a thrilling contest. The Kings had the momentum on the ice and on the scoreboard for the game's first 50 minutes in the first few frames until clutch time late in the third period yesterday on home ice at Crypto Arena.
Third-period collapse proves costly for Jim Hiller and the Los Angeles Kings in a multi-goal loss in the final frame to the Lightning on home ice
In the game's final three minutes in the third period in the final frame in clutch time, the Kings let a one-goal lead on the scoreboard slip away on home ice after the turn of the calendar year from 2025 to 2026. Hiller and the Kings fell to the Lightning on home ice by a score of 5-3.
Hiller gave his reaction to the media yesterday after the devastating third-period loss in the game's final five minutes of the final frame yesterday vs. Tampa.
There weren't too many positive reactions and takeaways for the Kings and Hiller yesterday after the third-period late collapse vs. Tampa Bay on New Year's Day on home ice to ring in 2026.
Here's a look at everything Hiller said to the media postgame following the Kings' late third-period collapse in the final frame yesterday in a 5-3 loss to the Lightning on home ice on New Year's Day (Jan. 1).
Jim Hiller
On his thoughts from the game's final five minutes in the final frame yesterday
"I didn’t think we gave them that much in the third. I thought we pushed back. Second period wasn’t a good one for us. Then, whatever leads up to it, leads up to it, and then there’s two scrambles at our net front and it finds a way to go in twice. I thought the two best chances of the period were Laferriere’s breakaway and Kempe’s semi-breakaway off the side, but that’s not how hockey works."
On how frustrating a loss like that was yesterday vs. Tampa Bay
"It’s hard to explain. The players put in a great effort, so to come up empty, I don’t want to be over-dramatic, but it’s difficult. It’s difficult."
On the Kings not being able to close out the game yesterday in the third period
"You know they didn't have a lot of chances late. They they got a couple scrambles that went in. So, sometimes you're scrambling, you're trying to hang on a little bit. I didn't feel like that was the case at all. I thought we had some good chances and we pushed in the O-zone if our two pucks found a way to get in."
On the timeout the Kings took late in the third period yesterday vs. Tampa
"We weren’t sure. Cirelli was in. Did Clarkie help him in? There’s a history, certainly this season, of not overturning a lot; so you’re going to have to make sure at that moment that you’re pretty certain. We felt like what we thought it was, not a high enough probability to challenge at that time."
On how Brandt Clarke's power play unit group on special teams has performed for the Kings
"They’ve been dangerous. Some really good plays. Last one, a great play by Perrs, prior to that, Q had Perrs on the back door. That group, in particular, is moving it well, and they feel dangerous, as dangerous as we’ve been all year."
On how the fourth line played yesterday for the Kings vs. Tampa Bay
"Just a great goal. Malott goes in forechecks, finishes a check. Perrs is there to pick up the breakout under pressure, and then Mi's able to reload and grab the puck. And a really nice shot. So, those are the type of goals, you'd call them, fourth-line goals you want to see. You want to see a forcheck, you want to see physicality, and I thought he showed a great, great scoring touch on top of it."
On what the team can learn and takeaway from the loss yesterday
"We’re looking for the result. We talked about it after the Colorado game. Played a really good game in Colorado. It makes you feel good that you’re playing right there with them, doesn’t make you feel good you didn’t get the win. Tonight, again, another really good team. We should have won the game. We need to win that game, that’s the bottom line. There’s not a lot of moral victories in this one for us tonight."