This regular season in the West, the Los Angeles Kings and head coach Jim Hiller have struggled to consistently string wins together in the Pacific Division. Hiller and the Kings aren't doing as well as the fans and coaching staff would've hoped last fall in the preseason and going into the current 2025-26 campaign season.
Article hints at Jim Hiller being on the hot seat and coming under pressure for the Los Angeles Kings early this year
Last regular season in the West, the Kings and Hiller finished up in the top three teams in the standings in the Pacific Division with over 100 points. The Kings tied a franchise record with 105 points in the regular season standings in the West.
The Kings were considered by some at least to be a contender team in the postseason in the Western Conference from the Pacific Division. LA had a Vezina Trophy finalist in net in starting goalie Darcy Kuemper and one of the league's top defenses.
Much of what made the Kings a contender in the postseason in the playoffs this past year in the West has been called into question this regular season in this past few months. The strong defensive identity Hiller and the Kings relied upon as a hallmark for the team this past season in the West has been inconsistent and faulty defensively.
In the past 10 games in the Pacific Division, the Kings have a below .500 record and have struggled to win games at Crypto Arena on home ice in the past couple of months.
Hiller has been the subject of some discussions on social media and in various fan circles in the media this regular season concerning his job status and potentially being on the hot seat for the Kings in the West.
Jacob Billington of The Hockey Writers hinted at the possibility this week of Hiller being among the hot seat head coaches this regular season for the Kings in the West in the Pacific Division in the past couple of months.
Special teams issues on the power play and the offensive production in the zone drying up this regular season in the West has been a big identity issue for the Kings and Hiller in the past few months. Hiller and the Kings are supposed to be a defensive team that builds on good performances in goal and limiting special teams from the power play this year.
The Kings have one of the worst power plays on special teams and one of the lowest event rates offensively in the league in the NHL this regular season.