Another First-round Loss to Edmonton

What went wrong?

First and foremost, the Edmonton Oilers, spearheaded by their two-headed monster, happened (again). They proved to be too much for LA (again). However, one decision in Game Three swung the tide in the series. With the Kings up 4-3 entering the third period of that game, and a chance to take a stranglehold 3-0 series lead on Edmonton, Jim Hiller’s squad went into a conservative, prevent defense, trying to preserve the lead instead of looking to attack.

Not only did the strategy fail, but inexplicably, challenging Evander Kane’s game-tying goal for goaltender interference late in the period proved catastrophic. The call stood, and the Kings were assessed a penalty, which Evan Bouchard scored on nine seconds later. The Oilers would ice the game with two empty-net goals to get back in the series. What happened in game one happened in game three, minus Phillip Danault’s game-winning goal for LA with under a minute in regulation. Perhaps game one was a sign of things to come?

Anyway, the Kings still led the series 2-1. Game Four saw the same thing. The Kings sat back with a third-period lead only to lose it and the game in overtime. A potential 3-1 series lead turned into a 2-2 series tie. In the blink of an eye, the momentum shifted from one side to the other. It was clear no lesson was learned from the previous game or the first one. In that overtime, the Kings looked like a team running on fumes, not just from playing on their heels or sitting back, but from a questionable deployment strategy.

That brings us to another mistake from Hiller. For a team that prides itself on rolling four lines and six defensemen, they did not do that at all. Hiller heavily deployed his top nine forwards and four defensemen throughout the series. That strategy may work in the short run, but not as the series lengthens. Players will get exhausted, and that is what happened. The conservative defense in the third period, when leading and not using your fourth line (averaging under five minutes per game) and young defensemen Jordan Spence and Brandt Clarke, ended up hurting the Kings as much as Edmonton did.

Drew Doughty, as great of a career as he has had with the Kings, shouldn’t be averaging 27 minutes a night in a playoff series at this stage of his career, especially after returning from his fractured ankle injury he suffered at the end of training camp. To add salt to the wound, the fourth line played a decent game six, and Spence and Clarke scored a goal.

From the sound of Hiller’s postgame press conference, it seems that he won’t have any regrets for not utilizing his depth throughout the series over the summer.

For all the praise Hiller received during the regular season, he will receive his fair share of criticism from this series for his coaching decisions. Games Three and Four proved to be the turning point. Edmonton smelled blood in the water and never looked back. The Kings have nobody to blame for this year’s loss but themselves.

What is next? Does Rob Blake return as general manager? Do the Kings finally change their defensive style of hockey philosophy and clean house upstairs? Roster changes? One thing for sure is that it’s time to hand the reins over to Quinton Byfield and Brandt Clarke and play through them more next season.

Featured image credit: Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images