GDT: 2024-25 season game 41 LA Kings vs Edmonton Oilers @6:30pm 1/13/25

[Raccoon Jesus]

Agreed.

Losing sucks. I get it. And as you said, they need to improve (and in general, I think the posters calling out issues are addressing some of them).

But the Kings just came out of a winning streak, winning some games they arguably should have lost. Now they have lost a couple close ones.

If they can capitalize on their chances, they're likely to find more wins.

I agree with this. The play trend itself is pretty solid. But as @johnjm22 points out even when they were winning (against the grain) they were 'getting lucky' from a sheer numbers standpoint. It's balanced out with the 'bad luck' getting goalied the last couple of games, but if you aren't doing enough to generate quality looks when you should, it's going to eventually catch up to you.

Its funny because we were getting results with mediocre play, now getting mediocre results with better play. that's why it's a long season. But it's troubling being something like .850 since january yet under .500 vs the pacific division because that is what's going t matter most. They don't have the horses to just outscore their problems but if they aren't going to the hard areas (ie being so bad in slot shots) they're just going to be an easy out again.

My point was, the Kings after 1st had no momentum and I saw with my own 2 eyes they werent hitting.. i kept waiting for someone to step up and rock someone to shift the momentum and nothing happened.

I can be sometimes overly hard on some of the other roster players like Lewis when this happens but

There is not one player--not even Burroughs--more worthless on this roster than a Jeannot who thinks he's a top sixer.

 

[Surf Nutz]

Two one goal losses.

They really were right there and on the road.

Very nit picky comments, these guys have been so wrong they have an axe to grind and they use exaggeration.

They haven't done much wrong and only needed to do a shot or two more right.

I do agree Hiller needs to rotate some guys in on the road, and second half of the season but it's been working and I get why he tried to keep it going.

But now is the time for Hiller to reach into his bag of tricks and show he knows how to tune it up.

However criticizing his performance at this point is still failed launch.

There was nothing wrong with the game plan, the goal is to win the game not outhit, over hit and get burned by a goal against by being out of position.

As Laffy found out Hiller demands you play to his system and he's earned that right with his 106 point record pace.

Some of you guys, between your comment and your avatar's seem to be operating on a sub conscious lifestyle level.

 

[AbsentMojo]

I can be sometimes overly hard on some of the other roster players like Lewis when this happens but

There is not one player--not even Burroughs--more worthless on this roster than a Jeannot who thinks he's a top sixer.

I think people have forgotten what a big hit can do to change momentum - since we havent seen it in so long. Down goes Sedin, down goes Sedin! I expect more physicality from Jeannot esp in a game against our #1 rival. Let them get to know you, to fear your presence... Drop the gloves with someone like Nurse. Instead the dude was invisible.. now Im not necessarily going to blame him 100% because I know HIller has them on a tight leash.

 

[Sol]

Shades of the islanders collapse. 2 stubborn coaches who are too busy staring at themselves in the mirror fixated on a lucky win streak. Now that they are inevitably falling apart, he’s too focused on keeping the same lucky recipe hoping for the same results. He’s not a smart coach.

When you bench a player for retaliating against McDavid when you already have the most useless plug on the team in Lewis eating ice time is complete bullshit. I’m not even gonna pretend that Laferriere was and has been doing good, but he’s 1000 times the player that Lewis is. And that plug Moore.


Benching a guy for showing emotion when you are already playing with 11 players is inexcusable. That alone makes me question Hillers competency. No good coach in their right mind would hamper a team struggling to score like that. For what? What example are you making? Hiller is a shit coach. Says a lot about him.

This is why the Kings play like p***yes. Evander Kane got rewarded for smoking Kings and Kings have always gotten injured at the hands of the Oilers. What does Hiller do? Bench Laf for getting angry.


f*** Hiller.

 

[johnjm22]

This team reminds me of some of those Trotz coached Islanders teams. Not a GREAT roster, but won a lot of games.

I think the 19-20 team had like a 17 game point streak or something.

Those teams also won some playoff rounds.

A little bit like recent Bruins teams too.

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

Friendly reminder that it might just be a cold stretch for the boys and the most important thing is that this team continues to play fantastic defense night in and night out.

Don't get me wrong I'm sure the Kings could use some help offensively... But right now there's not a single player on the team who is hot offensively - we know that won't continue for long. And when some of that scoring comes back, this team will be looking amazing again (assuming the defense remains strong).

And! We're still looking at a Doughty return likely in a few weeks. The PP and recent lack of offense are definitely a bit concerning (in particular the PP), but things are still looking very solid for the Kings. I'm excited to see what this team looks like with Doughty back in the lineup - think we'll have a better idea how they should approach the TDL once he's back.

 

[Sol]

What’s even bad about Hiller too is that he still suffers from the same bad decisions that Todd makes. There is ZERO reason the Kings always get shut down by the Oilers. When the Oilers are defending the lead the Kings get completely stifled. You’d think they’re a great defensive team. It makes you wonder what the hell Hiller was smoking to make the Kings play trap in the second period in a 0-0 game. When that shit has cost them time and time again.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

What’s even bad about Hiller too is that he still suffers from the same bad decisions that Todd makes. There is ZERO reason the Kings always get shut down by the Oilers. When the Oilers are defending the lead the Kings get completely stifled. You’d think they’re a great defensive team. It makes you wonder what the hell Hiller was smoking to make the Kings play trap in the second period in a 0-0 game. When that shit has cost them time and time again.

Kings scored 4 goals against the Oilers just two weeks ago.

Oh no, did I just debunk ANOTHER hot take from Sol?? It's too easy.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Shades of the islanders collapse. 2 stubborn coaches who are too busy staring at themselves in the mirror fixated on a lucky win streak. Now that they are inevitably falling apart, he’s too focused on keeping the same lucky recipe hoping for the same results. He’s not a smart coach.

When you bench a player for retaliating against McDavid when you already have the most useless plug on the team in Lewis eating ice time is complete bullshit. I’m not even gonna pretend that Laferriere was and has been doing good, but he’s 1000 times the player that Lewis is. And that plug Moore.


Benching a guy for showing emotion when you are already playing with 11 players is inexcusable. That alone makes me question Hillers competency. No good coach in their right mind would hamper a team struggling to score like that. For what? What example are you making? Hiller is a shit coach. Says a lot about him.

This is why the Kings play like p***yes. Evander Kane got rewarded for smoking Kings and Kings have always gotten injured at the hands of the Oilers. What does Hiller do? Bench Laf for getting angry.


f*** Hiller.

I've been a big Hiller fan but there's nothing he's done that's rubbed me quite the wrong way as "I told you not to take a stupid penalty and you did" and being super mad about it in the postgame Re: laf and yet watching Fiala do it night after night and getting rewarded with as many minutes as we have on the PP.

The inconsistent accountability is something we all hated about TMac, this one is particularly egregious to me because we know it's exactly what it is because he mouthed off about it in the media, I wish someone would have taken him to task about it. Laf gets benched for one error in judgment--yet....

 

[Omni Owl]

Hiller ought to go back to the lineup that was winning us games (sans Burroughs) but I'm not sure if he has the foresight or cajones to sit Lewis or Moore. Lee and Helenius were more than serviceable on the bottom line and also provided some nice size. Those 2 really made life difficult for the Oilers and made it so they didn't get bullied on the ice.

 

[Bandit]

Laferriere’s selfish penalty didn’t even put them shorthanded. But sure, let’s make an example of the kid.

 

[BigKing]

Laferriere’s selfish penalty didn’t even put them shorthanded. But sure, let’s make an example of the kid.

I'd rather this team be on the PK than 4 v 4 or 3 v 3.

Whatever works for them at 5 v. 5 vanishes in these situations. Just horrendous, braindead hockey. Happened immediately when that shift started and, of course, ended up with the goal.

It is a problem with this team against any opponent, but signing up for 4 v 4 when they can roll McDavid and Drai out there is a significant advantage for the Oilers.

I really like Laf, but he was useless last night and then did that. If he is playing a strong game prior to that, he probably doesn't eat pine the rest of the night.

 

[Sol]

I've been a big Hiller fan but there's nothing he's done that's rubbed me quite the wrong way as "I told you not to take a stupid penalty and you did" and being super mad about it in the postgame Re: laf and yet watching Fiala do it night after night and getting rewarded with as many minutes as we have on the PP.

The inconsistent accountability is something we all hated about TMac, this one is particularly egregious to me because we know it's exactly what it is because he mouthed off about it in the media, I wish someone would have taken him to task about it. Laf gets benched for one error in judgment--yet....

This is what bothers me the most. This is the thing that really shows how stupid he is as a coach and disrespectful for that matter. He benched Laf for being "selfish" in the most selfish way possible by possibly costing the team.


I can't put it in words just how disgusting that is of Hiller to bench Laf for standing up for himself. Even then the hit by McDavid was questionable too. He wasn't being some dumb f*** doing it randomly.

I know people might not think its a big deal but it speaks volumes to how f***ing stupid and selfish Hiller is to do that to him.

We're tired of the Kings being p***yes? Bench the guy for retaliating after a questionable hit to him.

f*** that.

 

[kingsfan28]

Shades of the islanders collapse. 2 stubborn coaches who are too busy staring at themselves in the mirror fixated on a lucky win streak. Now that they are inevitably falling apart, he’s too focused on keeping the same lucky recipe hoping for the same results. He’s not a smart coach.

When you bench a player for retaliating against McDavid when you already have the most useless plug on the team in Lewis eating ice time is complete bullshit. I’m not even gonna pretend that Laferriere was and has been doing good, but he’s 1000 times the player that Lewis is. And that plug Moore.


Benching a guy for showing emotion when you are already playing with 11 players is inexcusable. That alone makes me question Hillers competency. No good coach in their right mind would hamper a team struggling to score like that. For what? What example are you making? Hiller is a shit coach. Says a lot about him.

This is why the Kings play like p***yes. Evander Kane got rewarded for smoking Kings and Kings have always gotten injured at the hands of the Oilers. What does Hiller do? Bench Laf for getting angry.


f*** Hiller.

It's insane Hiller decides to bench a guy on an already short forward group. That explain why they looked gassed and they kept sending Lewis and Moore out every 3rd shift. I understand teaching a lesson to a player, but shit, that's not the time already short a guy. Even Torts wouldn't have done that.

 

[BigKing]

Interesting that I'm in the running against former Ohio State QB Johnny Utah for biggest fan of hockey violence on this board and I have no problem with the benching.

Actually find it sad that people are so worked up over the idea of benching him because he "stood up for himself". He took a two minute holding penalty! Not a rough, slash, elbow or cross check but a stupid holding penalty right in front of the refs.

Challenge him to a fight instead and make him look a p***y if he declines. Take his number down and try to get him back later when he does decline the fight. If he accepts the invite then hot damn: you just took McDavid off the ice for five minutes.

Holding his leg so he falls down is lame. Yes, I'm tired of the Kings being p***yes (they haven't been as much this season compared to so many years prior) but this wasn't an example of them not being p***yes. In fact, the reaction by Laf was more of a p***y move than doing nothing.

Laf has one point in his last eight games with lots and lots of ice time. Maybe two goals in his last 15? One hit in his near 10 minutes of ice time last night. He wasn't playing well and hasn't been. If Laf is having a good game, he probably doesn't take that stupid penalty and that is where a good portion of the selfish play accusation comes from.

I'd rather teach a lesson now in January than in the playoffs. Laf is going to be fine and they didn't lose because he was benched. If this stops him from doing something stupid later on in a more important game and moment, then we should all be happy.

Now, if you want to bring up double standards and how Fiala can take dumb penalties and not get benched, feel free. It is what it is with Fiala so that would probably just make things worse in the long run: he isn't changing. Laf has a season and a half of NHL ice under his belt and I'm sure Hiller has spoken with him and will coach him up. It's going to be fine.

 

[Sol]

Interesting that I'm in the running against former Ohio State QB Johnny Utah for biggest fan of hockey violence on this board and I have no problem with the benching.

Actually find it sad that people are so worked up over the idea of benching him because he "stood up for himself". He took a two minute holding penalty! Not a rough, slash, elbow or cross check but a stupid holding penalty right in front of the refs.

Challenge him to a fight instead and make him look a p***y if he declines. Take his number down and try to get him back later when he does decline the fight. If he accepts the invite then hot damn: you just took McDavid off the ice for five minutes.

Holding his leg so he falls down is lame. Yes, I'm tired of the Kings being p***yes (they haven't been as much this season compared to so many years prior) but this wasn't an example of them not being p***yes. In fact, the reaction by Laf was more of a p***y move than doing nothing.

Laf has one point in his last eight games with lots and lots of ice time. Maybe two goals in his last 15? One hit in his near 10 minutes of ice time last night. He wasn't playing well and hasn't been. If Laf is having a good game, he probably doesn't take that stupid penalty and that is where a good portion of the selfish play accusation comes from.

I'd rather teach a lesson now in January than in the playoffs. Laf is going to be fine and they didn't lose because he was benched. If this stops him from doing something stupid later on in a more important game and moment, then we should all be happy.

Now, if you want to bring up double standards and how Fiala can take dumb penalties and not get benched, feel free. It is what it is with Fiala so that would probably just make things worse in the long run: he isn't changing. Laf has a season and a half of NHL ice under his belt and I'm sure Hiller has spoken with him and will coach him up. It's going to be fine.

This is definition of being a contrarian for the sake of being a contrarian since nothing you said was based in logic, only semantics.

Hiller would have been okay with it if he put him in a rear naked choke instead? What are you even saying lmao. Not only that, benching someone who’s better than Lewis and Moore while losing and down a forward is selfish of Hiller.

 

[Bandit]

I'd rather this team be on the PK than 4 v 4 or 3 v 3.

Whatever works for them at 5 v. 5 vanishes in these situations. Just horrendous, braindead hockey. Happened immediately when that shift started and, of course, ended up with the goal.

It is a problem with this team against any opponent, but signing up for 4 v 4 when they can roll McDavid and Drai out there is a significant advantage for the Oilers.

I really like Laf, but he was useless last night and then did that. If he is playing a strong game prior to that, he probably doesn't eat pine the rest of the night.

I don’t necessarily disagree but if you’re the coach and the lynchpin of your whole game plan is that a kid doesn’t take a penalty in the entire game, a penalty that doesn’t even make you shorthanded, in a game where you can’t figure out how to score a single goal against Stuart f***ing Skinner…

You’re a shit coach.

 

[Trash Panda]

I think what’s most frustrating about the power play woes, is that they have the very real potential to get worse when Drew gets back.

 

[King'sPawn]

This is definition of being a contrarian for the sake of being a contrarian since nothing you said was based in logic, only semantics.

Hiller would have been okay with it if he put him in a rear naked choke instead? What are you even saying lmao. Not only that, benching someone who’s better than Lewis and Moore while losing and down a forward is selfish of Hiller.

It's unclear if Hiller would have been okay with a more violent response, but it is clear that if you're going to retaliate, doing so in a lazy, unassertive manner (which the hold was), he's not okay with it.

 

[Surf Nutz]

This team reminds me of some of those Trotz coached Islanders teams. Not a GREAT roster, but won a lot of games.

I think the 19-20 team had like a 17 game point streak or something.

Those teams also won some playoff rounds.

A little bit like recent Bruins teams too.

Common denominator: Good coaching.

We are halfway through the season.

Sol has completely lost it here on Hiller.

I don't see anyone else making more than a passing critique and the record is very good.

Everyone is happy except those that predicted the demise of the Kings and have egg on their faces and it is the usual suspects here.

The Hiller is a shit coast is some of the dumbest shit ever among the other mountains of it piled up here.

He is going nowhere this year and likely longer.

Super bad takes here. just like your tattoos.

Laf has been crap lately, he is a rookie and responded to the refs favorite player and team.

Big K has it right, the rest of you, wrong,

Schedule is 3x longer than college Laf needs to get it going again, and he might after that.

Message sent to him and whole team.

Hiller and Smith , command respect, Brown is struggling on his PP detail.

Opening it up against the Oilers leads to multi goal ;losses and given the history and likely future that would be beyond stupid.

 

[BigKing]

This is definition of being a contrarian for the sake of being a contrarian since nothing you said was based in logic, only semantics. I don't even think you realize that you're not even making a point. Laferriere hasn't been good but he's exponentially better than Lewis and has done more than Moore by far this season. To bench him for standing up for himself is stupid and I don't know what backwards logic you're trying to use, but it's not working.

He retaliated which is more than Anderson ever did. Just because he didn't put McDavid in a rear naked choke doesn't mean anything. If you think Hiller wouldn't have benched him if he retaliated in a more violent way then you are smoking something.

Usually you make some insightful posts but then there's times where you reach like crazy just to try to pass it off as high brow commentary.

You're so riled up that you are the one that can't see clearly.

I'm not saying he wouldn't have benched him if he slugged him instead of gently helping him to the ice, although there would be a butterfly effect to that as it would somewhat start a riot--or whatever is considered a riot in today's NHL--and that would have been better. What I am saying is that you can't get excited about what he did like he actually did anything of consequence that could be described as tough or sticking up for himself. Amazing retaliation: take a solid hit and then just grab his leg so he falls, leading to a 4 v 4 which is a powerplay when the Kings are involved. Who scored the goal to top it all off?

You want to see McDavid eat it at the hand of a Kings player--or anyone probably--so badly that you think he was benched for sticking up for himself when he was simply benched because he is a young player that has been struggling, including in this game, and he did something very selfish and stupid that also inflicted zero retribution.

As for Lewis, he still only played 1:28 more than Laf last night and didn't do anything stupid. He wasn't scoring but he also wasn't putting his team in a bad spot like Laf did. Moore hasn't been good but they are going to keep getting him out there. He's streaky and coming off an injury. This is a guy that had one goal in a 16 game stretch last year and zero in 12 straight during that same stretch but still finished with 31 goals.

Laf is getting major minutes. Hiller likes him. He should probably be getting less minutes as he was more effective before he was getting 18 minutes a game, something that might be a byproduct of the 11/7. Regardless, this is a coach that likes the player in question and used the moment as an opportunity to make a point to the player and the team. He also doesn't do that if he doesn't think that Laf can handle it. It's Game 41 of a long season and we have a coach here that is most likely going to go back to giving this kid 17-18 a night next game, and he's going to have a fire lit under his ass. There is nothing wrong with it: this isn't benching Kaliyev after a bad shift in the 1st period.

Now, if he is healthy scratched next game, he's taking it too far. What I see here is a coach being a coach and, let's not forget, the team acting like p***yes is also a reflection of the coaching. Blake went Ice Cream Day Stevens and then signed up the guy that he liked playing for when he was in his late 30s and was probably allowed to do whatever he wants. Now we've got Fiala scratched and Laf being benched: both are an attempt to have accountability and that is something that has been lacking for the entire Bluc era.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I'd rather this team be on the PK than 4 v 4 or 3 v 3.

Whatever works for them at 5 v. 5 vanishes in these situations. Just horrendous, braindead hockey. Happened immediately when that shift started and, of course, ended up with the goal.

It is a problem with this team against any opponent, but signing up for 4 v 4 when they can roll McDavid and Drai out there is a significant advantage for the Oilers.

I really like Laf, but he was useless last night and then did that. If he is playing a strong game prior to that, he probably doesn't eat pine the rest of the night.

Is literally anyone else in the organization held to this standard? Edit: that's not arthur kaliyev

That's my beef with it.

I know what you and Herby and Bland and others are saying about it. I 'get' it. I just think it's horseshit in light of all the other shit players do.

"x sucked last night and took a stupid selfish penalty" happens to like two Kings a night.

 

[Sol]

You're so riled up that you are the one that can't see clearly.

I'm not saying he wouldn't have benched him if he slugged him instead of gently helping him to the ice, although there would be a butterfly effect to that as it would somewhat start a riot--or whatever is considered a riot in today's NHL--and that would have been better. What I am saying is that you can't get excited about what he did like he actually did anything of consequence that could be described as tough or sticking up for himself. Amazing retaliation: take a solid hit and then just grab his leg so he falls, leading to a 4 v 4 which is a powerplay when the Kings are involved. Who scored the goal to top it all off?

You want to see McDavid eat it at the hand of a Kings player--or anyone probably--so badly that you think he was benched for sticking up for himself when he was simply benched because he is a young player that has been struggling, including in this game, and he did something very selfish and stupid that also inflicted zero retribution.

As for Lewis, he still only played 1:28 more than Laf last night and didn't do anything stupid. He wasn't scoring but he also wasn't putting his team in a bad spot like Laf did. Moore hasn't been good but they are going to keep getting him out there. He's streaky and coming off an injury. This is a guy that had one goal in a 16 game stretch last year and zero in 12 straight during that same stretch but still finished with 31 goals.

Laf is getting major minutes. Hiller likes him. He should probably be getting less minutes as he was more effective before he was getting 18 minutes a game, something that might be a byproduct of the 11/7. Regardless, this is a coach that likes the player in question and used the moment as an opportunity to make a point to the player and the team. He also doesn't do that if he doesn't think that Laf can handle it. It's Game 41 of a long season and we have a coach here that is most likely going to go back to giving this kid 17-18 a night next game, and he's going to have a fire lit under his ass. There is nothing wrong with it: this isn't benching Kaliyev after a bad shift in the 1st period.

Now, if he is healthy scratched next game, he's taking it too far. What I see here is a coach being a coach and, let's not forget, the team acting like p***yes is also a reflection of the coaching. Blake went Ice Cream Day Stevens and then signed up the guy that he liked playing for when he was in his late 30s and was probably allowed to do whatever he wants. Now we've got Fiala scratched and Laf being benched: both are an attempt to have accountability and that is something that has been lacking for the entire Bluc era.

Then don't bring Laf's production into your argument when he has more points than the both of them combined because it seems like you're intentionally obfuscating the point when you bring up his production.


Facts
1. Laf is better than both Moore and Lewis.
2. Benching Laf for standing up for himself is moronic when you're losing.
3. Keeping bums like Lewis in the line up as the 11th forward is already playing down 2 men.
4. Kings cant score, there is zero reason to bench Laf. He could have bitched him out after the game.
5. Hiller is a dumb ass coach for doing so.

If you disagree with any of this, please make a point. Because none of what you said earlier was grounded in reality. I am sorry for the hostile tone earlier, I had edited but you took the brunt of it.

 

[Maynard]

Benching a guy for that makes sense unless your whole team is tired, you’re running an 11-7, or if you’re down by one late in a close game against a hated division rival on the road. Dumb move.

I keep looking at the defensive stats and telling myself to STFU about the other stuff. I enjoy the wins and the team is in a good spot. Is that possible if the coach is dumb? I don’t think so.

The 11-7 is not sustainable though. Especially when your 1’s are this old. Why would you do it unless you had to? Burroughs? Also they were trapping some. It was technically a 1-2-2 but they were sitting back. Against the Oilers. This guy is an idiot.

That’s how I see it.

 

[BigKing]

Is literally anyone else in the organization held to this standard? Edit: that's not arthur kaliyev

That's my beef with it.

I know what you and Herby and Bland and others are saying about it. I 'get' it. I just think it's horseshit in light of all the other shit players do.

"x sucked last night and took a stupid selfish penalty" happens to like two Kings a night.

Kind of the same response I had for Sol, but if it was Fiala instead of Laf, a lot of people would be stoked about it but it's Laf and we love him so this is bullshit. If it was Trevor Lewis, 95% of the board would be stoked.

You aren't arguing for Lewis as your point is other players do similar things and don't get the same treatment. Again, I have to counter with the fact that the penalty was stupid and directly led to the only goal in the game. It was the turning point as Edmonton came out and just boat raced them during that 4 v 4. Toss in the opponent and the fact they are having trouble scoring even one goal and you have this particular selfish penalty by a player going through a slump being magnified.

I understand how Fiala and his two points and nine games while doing dumb shit is more frustrating than Laf making a mistake, but Laf is the one that did it in this situation and not Fiala so here we are.

Then don't bring Laf's production into your argument when he has more points than the both of them combined because it seems like you're intentionally obfuscating the point when you bring up his production.


Facts
1. Laf is better than both Moore and Lewis.
2. Benching Laf for standing up for himself is moronic when you're losing.
3. Keeping bums like Lewis in the line up as the 11th forward is already playing down 2 men.
4. Kings cant score, there is zero reason to bench Laf. He could have bitched him out after the game.
5. Hiller is a dumb ass coach for doing so.

If you disagree with any of this, please make a point. Because none of what you said earlier was grounded in reality. I am sorry for the hostile tone earlier, I had edited but you took the brunt of it.

I bring up his production because nine of his 13 goals were in the first 16 games of the year. He has four over his last 25 games for a full season pace of 13, one goal more than last year. Before his injury, Moore had five goals in 13 games which just so happens to be a full season pace of 31 goals like he scored last year. In the 17 games before the injury, he had 15 of his 18 points. Point being is that he is a more proven product and they want to get him going again: they need him to get going again, and, once again, he isn't the one that gave the coach an opportunity to bench him for taking a stupid penalty.

As for benching him when they are losing, he wasn't helping them win when he was on the ice last night and he hasn't been doing much for a good stretch now. This goes back to RJs point about other people don't get the same treatment but, again, this is the first time he has received this treatment and I can't recall a similar moment where Hiller could have benched someone: and I'm talking all of the factors and not just a selfish penalty.

Lewis in his spot as the 11th/12th forward has no relation to Laf being benched and is a different topic to be upset at Hiller over. Even then, the ire shouldn't be at playing Lewis but rather choosing to dress seven defenseman so Burroughs can get four minutes of ice.

Kings can't score but either can Laf lately. Four goals in his last 25 games. It's not like Lewis took his minutes: Fiala and Foegele did and the latter definitely deserved it last night. Regardless, there is a short game and a long game and this, IMO, is a long game move so simply bitching him out after the game doesn't make the point. These guys want ice and they are supposed to respond to it being taken away from them. Yelling at them after the game and then giving them their usual minutes is what everyone on here complains about when it comes to accountability. I think we see a killer game from Laf next time out.

I'm not really in either camp on Hiller. Since I'm not coming into this with an agenda to burn this guy, I think it was a perfectly fine move for a coach to do with a young kid who I believe has the character to respond properly. All the belly aching also ignores the fact that Hiller is playing this kid 16:27 on average a night and it looks like even more minutes than that on average the last 20 games, last night notwithstanding.

When you look at it like that, this is a case of the coach actually holding a "real" player accountable as opposed to a scoring prospect on the 4th line not producing so he is scratched.