Head coach Jim Hiller and the Los Angeles Kings (4-3-3) continued their point streak in this road trip in the West this weekend with the first regulation win this regular season. The Kings and Hiller defeated the Chicago Blackhawks (4-3-2) by multiple goals after a strong, complete team showing for this squad in the game's second and third periods last night.
Los Angeles Kings cap back-to-back games over the weekend with a big win for Jim Hiller's group over the Blackhawks in regulation
The Kings rallied from being down by a score of 1-0 on the scoreboard after the game's first period on a goal from Connor Bedard for the Hawks early in the matchup. LA responded with three straight goals, including two in the span of under 90 seconds in the middle frame in the second period from wingers Alex Laferriere and Kevin Fiala for the Kings.
Not only was this the first regulation win this fall for the Kings early this regular season, but it was continues the point streak in this five-game road trip in the Western Conference since this past week. The Kings have earned three wins and seven out of eight possible points in the past four games for the road trip.
Hiller spoke to the media postgame after the Kings' first regulation win this regular season against the Blackhawks on Sunday over the weekend.
One other storyline Hiller updated the media on was the injury status of winger Warren Foegele after the win over Chicago yesterday.
Here's a look at everything Hiller said to the media postgame following the Kings' 3-1 win over the Blackhawks on the road at the United Center on Oct. 26.
Jim Hiller
On an update to Warren Foegele's status
"Only kind of what you guys know. He’ll get looked at a little closer tomorrow, couldn’t come back tonight We’ll probably have an update tomorrow or probably the following day, when we’re in San Jose."
On the team playing short with 11 forwards and how it helps that the Kings played with 11 forwards at times this past season
"It can be a little more chaotic on the bench but those guys have been through it. They beared with me different times, flipping the lines around, so we were good there. It ended up being pretty seamless."
On the fight the team showed in the regulation win vs. Chicago
"I sure thought so. I mean, the first period, we didn’t play any good at all. They played really well, so we had to reevaluate if the back-to-backs were worth it for us and I think we answered that in the final 40 minutes."
On how the Kings adjusted in the first and second period
"We were playing underneath everything in the first 20 minutes and trying to make plays under their 1-1-3 and it didn’t turn out very well. So, we just started to get long, started to skate on pucks and just really simplified it."
On the chemistry that the Fiala-Byfield-Laferriere line showed for the Kings
"The greatest example was the second period, Laf rolled out of the corner, Q found that quiet spot, he hit him with the backhand, and he got his one timer for a pretty good shot and save. So that, to me, was the best example. That’s what they were missing in Nashville, specifically, Laf had the same spot Q was on the other side of the ice, looking for a pass, where he found the soft spot.
So, yeah, better, better all three. Laf scores a big goal and really had his best game of the season overall. If you look at the total body of work, the penalty kill, everything involved, and then Kevin scores a world-class goal on his own, there aren’t many guys who can do that. It’s a great goal and an individual effort."
On the Kings getting the first regulation win this regular season last night
"It felt good. That tells me, yeah, that’s a pretty good streak, I think it was four in a row and five of six. This one was just as stressful, just like those other ones, it’s never easy. But it was nice to get a regulation win."