The Los Angeles Kings decided it was time to make a change behind the bench during last season when they fired Todd McLellan who had been head coach since the 2019-2020 season. After two seasons where the Kings finished near the bottom of the division, McLellan was able to lead them to back-to-back playoff appearances with 99 points (2021-22) and 104 points (2022-23).
The Kings once again seemed to be on the way to the playoffs as McLellan had the Kings in position to make the playoffs with a 23-15-10 record at the time of his firing. They would make the switch to Jim Hiller and there was almost an immediate positive return as they would finish the season with a 21-12-1.
However, even with the change at head coach the Kings suffered the same fate they had the previous two years as they would be bounced in the first round for the third straight season. To make matters even worse, it would be the Oilers for the third straight season that would end the Kings' season.
Jim Hiller must get the Kings past the first round of the playoffs this season
In his first head coaching job in the NHL, Hiller has plenty of pressure on him because he should have one focus. It is not to just get into the playoffs but to show he can get this team past the first round.
The latest trip to the playoffs wasn’t even relatively close as the Oilers would win the series 4-1 and outscore Los Angeles 22-13 over those five games. This won’t be an easy task in a Pacific Division with the Canucks, Oilers, and Golden Knights as all three have legitimate chances to win the division.
The Kings should also be in that discussion but they haven’t won the division since 1990-91 and was the only time in franchise history. While a division title would help their chances, it will be a tough matchup. However, after three straight seasons of first round exits, Hiller doesn’t have the luxury of looking towards next year and needs to get this group to the next step.