Coming out of Game 2 of the Western Conference road trip this week, the Los Angeles Kings (3-3-2) and head coach Jim Hiller have a 2-0 record with two key overtime wins against playoff teams from the West in the Central Division this fall. The Kings defeated the Dallas Stars (3-3-1) by a score of 3-2 in overtime at American Airlines Center on Thursday night (Oct. 23).
Two straight wins for Jim Hiller and the Los Angeles Kings after defeating Dallas on Thursday night
This is the second straight win for the Kings coming from an Adrian Kempe goal in overtime. Kempe became the first player in Kings' franchise history this week to score two consecutive overtime game-winning goals for LA.
It's hard to overstate how important these two wins for the Kings could be in the long run in the Western Conference this regular season. Hiller and the Kings really needed these two wins to start finding more success in the win column in the Pacific Division this fall.
Hiller gave his takeaways and thoughts from the Kings' 3-2 overtime win over the Stars yesterday after the game with the media outside of the locker room.
He spoke on how players are adjusting to the system this fall in the regular season and how the team can improve after the win over the Stars yesterday.
Here's a look at everything Hiller said to the media postgame following the Kings' clutch 3-2 overtime win over the Stars on the road on Oct. 23.
Jim Hiller
On takeaways from the Kings' win over Dallas yesterday
"I thought Dallas played really well. They were ready to play. We started really poorly. Fortunate to get the power play and then score the goal. I think that kind of just settled us just a little bit. probably the biggest moment of the game. Started competing more in the second and third, but they were better ."
On the timeout Hiller took on the power play for the Kings
"Yeah, I mean that's a big moment in any game. Five on three, and we were a little tired. In the end, you've got to score there. You're in this building, and we're not playing well, and that was a really big goal. I guess we all know we got it, and we know where he got it from, and that might be coming next."
On Corey Perry scoring in front of the net on the power play
"Yeah, that's right. That's his spot. And some guys, the puck just goes six inches away from or it bounces into your feet, and or you get it and it's into the goalie. But, more often than not, there's some special innate ability where the puck falls where it's got to fall and you put it in the back of the net. And that's why he's had the career that he's had. Because he gets to those places and he finishes them when they're there."
On how the Kings improved during the game vs. Dallas last night
"We turned it over quite a bit at the start, right? We really just didn't give ourselves much of a chance, and they were roaring at us. So, we managed it better than the second half. We talked about it. This was clearly not going to be a really pretty game for us. Doesn't mean you can't win. And we did the things I thought to win. In the end, we had an outstanding penalty kill. That would've been a dagger. That was as committed and determined to keep the puck out of the net as I've seen."
On Cody Ceci settling into the Kings' defensive system this week on the road trip
"He's done a really good job. He's really starting to assert himself defensively. We're starting to see a penalty kill and start to rise to the top there. Him and Mikey together specifically, they're really hard to play in Dzone. They're on the walls, leaning on you, clearing the net run. So when you can add something about offensive force, that's a bonus.
On the Laferriere goal that was called back due to the high stick
"I didn't ask. I mean, I know what it is. They said that it was over the bar. You know what I mean? We were looking at it. It's a tough call. That's all I can say. I wasn't going to change it, so I didn't need much of an explanation."