The Kings’ arrogance cost them against the Oilers

The hubbub about whether or not they were mocking Stuart Skinner’s shaky performance — I’ll be the first to admit that more than likely wasn’t the case — or not, this is the kind of photo taken and shared after you win a series, not the first game of it.

This was strike one for the L.A. Kings’ arrogance, which only continued to mount as the series went along.

Game 2 was undoubtedly another tough go for the Oilers. Down 3-0 in the second, they tried to push, getting goals from Leon Draisaitl and Viktor Arvidsson, but the Kings put this one away. Running 11 forwards and seven defencemen in the game, this was where the way the Kings were utilizing their roster became clear: they wanted to load up the minutes for their top nine forwards and top four defencemen.

It carried into Game 3, but this game was different from the get-go with the Oilers jumping out to an early 2-0 lead 8:43 into the first period in thanks to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Evan Bouchard. The Kings responded well — goals from Kevin Fiala and Drew Doughty tied it up, before Connor Brown’s regain Edmonton’s lead, but a quick one from Trevor Moore made it 3-3 after two.

The Oilers started to really tilt the series in that third period, and just over 13 minutes into the frame, Evander Kane got to work down low, banging home a loose puck in the crease. It was promptly challenged by Kings head coach Jim Hiller in what might’ve been one of the worst calls we’ve seen in some time. Trying to keep your team in the game is one thing, but this so clearly put them behind the eight-ball, as the failed challenge gave the Oilers a power play which Evan Bouchard quickly capitalized on.

This was undoubtedly the turning point in the series.

While the Kings — once again — pushed hard to start Game 4, the Oilers flipped the script in the third period, as two Bouchard goals would force overtime where Edmonton absolutely dogged the Kings. Continuing to be stubborn in his usage, Hiller kept loading up the minutes and the Oilers were able to take advantage of it, rolling four lines and outright dominating

It forced L.A. into a huge mistake when in that overtime frame, Vladislav Gavrikov tripped McDavid, allowing Draisaitl to ice the game on the man advantage.

After the game, Hiller put himself in the spot light again, snapping at a reporter who very fairly asked him about the team blowing leads.

Reporter: How do you change your approach in the third period to better close out games?

Hiller: How do I change it? *scoffs* Next question, please. We’re that far away at the empty net. Q chips that out, Bouchard makes a good play, we’re not even talking about this, so… How about that?

Reporter: Sentiment in the room was that the first 40 minutes… —

Hiller: That’s your favourite question too, by the way. Maybe you got some ideas for me.

Hiller began to come unhinged at this point, stubborn in his usage and stern in his beliefs that the Kings didn’t need to change anything. The arrogance of refusing to change his tune helped nobody and by the time Game 5 rolled around you could really see the heavy minutes wearing on the Kings’ big guns.

Edmonton dominated, cruising to a 3-1 win, and while Thursday night’s Game 6 was admittedly tense, Hiller finally pivoted from playing the fourth line for 6:07. The problem is what the staff was likely concerned about happening — them getting exploited — happened, getting outscored 1-0 and outshot 4-1.

It was too little, too late to get them involved.

The Kings over exuberance early in the series and Hiller’s poor usage sent the Kings golfing for the fourth straight year. And now the franchise reaches a serious infection point.

This squad was handcrafted to beat the Oilers. As pointed out by Kings outlet Mayor’s Manor, they: had a Vezina nominated goaltender and a power play that clicked at a stunning 40 percent rate, home ice advantage and the most minutes led in the first round, pending Friday’s game, but none of that matter because the Oilers simply found a way.

What will come of it in Los Angeles is hard to say, but one has to wonder how hot the seat is for general manager Rob Blake, who now finished up his eighth season at the helm, and what it means for Hiller, too.