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

[Raccoon Jesus]

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.

yeah unless he's playing the long game and just hiding the playbook for later, it was basically all the same old songs vs. the oilers

minus a few shifts when they were actually shadowing mcdavid and draisaitl, that was interesting

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

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.

Great post.

Yah, the double standards that run rampant around here are beyond ignorant. If this was Fiala, and Hiller has benched him before, these guys would be applauding to the heavens. But since it's a player that is well liked, Hiller is a shit coach who would never apply same logic to a player like Lewis.

It's bananas.

 

[Herby]

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.

Can you provide some actual examples of people who predicted the Kings' "demise"? By "demise," I assume you mean missing the playoffs.

It seems to me that what you're imagining were actually people expressing frustration about likely finishing 3rd in the Pacific Division and once again opening against Edmonton. Looking at the standings, it appears that's exactly what’s going to happen. If those are indeed the people you’re referring to, how can they have egg on their faces before a playoff series has even been won?

You and Axl seem to believe that anyone who doesn’t share your view that the Kings are Stanley Cup contenders must think the Kings are terrible. I often wonder if this is an intentional straw man or if you genuinely can only see things in black and white.

 

[Little Psycho]

Kempe “liking” the 5K fined post. He sounds like an HF-er just double checked to make sure it’s not fake and lo and behold lol

 

[Omni Owl]

Kempe “liking” the 5K fined post. He sounds like an HF-er just double checked to make sure it’s not fake and lo and behold lol

Based Kempe, easily becoming a favorite player of mine.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

God I f***ing love Kempe.

Future C/A for sure along with Anderson.

 

[Lt Dan]

God I f***ing love Kempe.

Future C/A for sure along with Anderson.

Indeed

I would much rather either of them wear the C before Doughty

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Indeed

I would much rather either of them wear the C before Doughty

I think DL would be proud of Kempe's Kings tattoo.

He would have fit right in on those 2012-2014 Kings squads.

 

[bland]

G

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.

I am guessing that a lot of folks here have played on a team with a coach, so it surprises me that anybody would be upset about the benching.

If you KNOW that Edmonton's PP has repeatedly ripped you to shreds for years, you can bet your ass that the coach has emphasized, likely even drawn out on a board, that you are not going to take any selfish penalties. Then when you see what is likely to be the single most selfish penalty of the year is committed right in front of the coach, it would be outright stupid not to hold the player accountable for doing exactly what they were told not to do. THAT is how you lose the room, nobody respects a coach that issues empty threats.

Hiller absolutely did the right thing, its not even debatable. You aren't just coaching for those 2 points, this isn't a video game with shit resetting itself every night.

 

[chris kontos]

im gonna engage the PTA at my kids school to rename all participation awards:
KINGS
we were SO close
anybody that thinks this team is in any way competative needs thier head examined

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

G


I am guessing that a lot of folks here have played on a team with a coach, so it surprises me that anybody would be upset about the benching.

If you KNOW that Edmonton's PP has repeatedly ripped you to shreds for years, you can bet your ass that the coach has emphasized, likely even drawn out on a board, that you are not going to take any selfish penalties. Then when you see what is likely to be the single most selfish penalty of the year is committed right in front of the coach, it would be outright stupid not to hold the player accountable for doing exactly what they were told not to do. THAT is how you lose the room, nobody respects a coach that issues empty threats.

Hiller absolutely did the right thing, its not even debatable. You aren't just coaching for those 2 points, this isn't a video game with shit resetting itself every night.

No one respects a coach who coddles some players and selectively enforces accountability on others, imo.

Granted it was as teens but I've seen whole teams fall apart and quit because the star player could do whatever he wanted no matter if it hurt the team

Right now Hiller is just Mr. Burns



Like I said above I think everyone GETS the benching, we just think its horseshit based on what else has been allowed to transpire.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

im gonna engage the PTA at my kids school to rename all participation awards:
KINGS
we were SO close
anybody that thinks this team is in any way competative needs thier head examined

Good one...but I doubt you are old enough for kids.

 

[King'sPawn]

No one respects a coach who coddles some players and selectively enforces accountability on others, imo.

Granted it was as teens but I've seen whole teams fall apart and quit because the star player could do whatever he wanted no matter if it hurt the team

Right now Hiller is just Mr. Burns



Like I said above I think everyone GETS the benching, we just think its horseshit based on what else has been allowed to transpire.

But we've seen Fiala get benched, and not just because he missed a team meeting.

He's also given youth the most opportunity out of any coach, at the very least in Blake's tenure. I think Hiller should get a little bit more credit, even if you think he should penalize other players more.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

But we've seen Fiala get benched, and not just because he missed a team meeting.

He's also given youth the most opportunity out of any coach, at the very least in Blake's tenure. I think Hiller should get a little bit more credit, even if you think he should penalize other players more.

Doesn't count man....sorry, Fiala was benched multiple times for the shit...but it doesn't count. Don't know why, but that's the kind of horseshit reasoning you see played out on the boards.

Keep in mind, Fiala has taken all of THREE penalties since December 1st....so should have been benched many more times.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Doesn't count man....sorry, Fiala was benched multiple times for the shit...but it doesn't count. Don't know why, but that's the kind of horseshit reasoning you see played out on the boards.

Keep in mind, Fiala has taken all of THREE penalties since December 1st....so should have been benched many more times.

yeah, I said all that above.

 

[bland]

But we've seen Fiala get benched, and not just because he missed a team meeting.

He's also given youth the most opportunity out of any coach, at the very least in Blake's tenure. I think Hiller should get a little bit more credit, even if you think he should penalize other players more.

Hiller is a coach of the year candidate.

I have led the way with complaining on the problems with Blake and Robitaille, years before many of the current gripers caught on, but I think folks need to take a step back, look at the bigger picture, and realize just how positive things are here this season. You could see it coming last July. The right things are finally being done for the right reasons, even if their hands were forced.

The Kings won't get out of the first round thus year because their best players just aren't good enough. Kopitar is too old, Fiala is a joke, and the others are too young to bridge that gap. Kempe is the only player on this team in his prime playing at that high of a level in an offensively impactful spot.

Its not coaching, it's not Lewis, it's nothing trivial. No trade deadline rental is going to make that much of a difference. They have a firm ceiling with this group and Hiller has had them bumping their heads into it for four months now.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

But we've seen Fiala get benched, and not just because he missed a team meeting.

He's also given youth the most opportunity out of any coach, at the very least in Blake's tenure. I think Hiller should get a little bit more credit, even if you think he should penalize other players more.

Hiller is a coach of the year candidate.

I have led the way with complaining on the problems with Blake and Robitaille, years before many of the current gripers caught on, but I think folks need to take a step back, look at the bigger picture, and realize just how positive things are here this season. You could see it coming last July. The right things are finally being done for the right reasons, even if their hands were forced.

The Kings won't get out of the first round thus year because their best players just aren't good enough. Kopitar is too old, Fiala is a joke, and the others are too young to bridge that gap. Kempe is the only player on this team in his prime playing at that high of a level in an offensively impactful spot.

Its not coaching, it's not Lewis, it's nothing trivial. No trade deadline rental is going to make that much of a difference. They have a firm ceiling with this group and Hiller has had them bumping their heads into it for four months now.

Just like with the players, you can generally like a guy and say he's doing a great job and still be critical of a decision. That's all this is. I like him plenty. He's been generally great. I think this decision sucks. That's it. This is a play in a gameday thread, not a season-long observation in the season thread. No need for either of you to be suggesting i'm motherf***ing Hiller in any other way or not appreciating him because that's a leap.

 

[King'sPawn]

Doesn't count man....sorry, Fiala was benched multiple times for the shit...but it doesn't count. Don't know why, but that's the kind of horseshit reasoning you see played out on the boards.

Keep in mind, Fiala has taken all of THREE penalties since December 1st....so should have been benched many more times.

Heck, I get the frustration. I have obviously criticized the org a lot. I have more criticisms for the org, am frustrated with Fiala, and am still not trusting Blake's judgment on the direction of the organization.

But I think people conflate their frustrations as far as issues with the org, and that some key details are forgotten amidst the frustration.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

But I think people conflate their frustrations as far as issues with the org, and that some key details are forgotten amidst the frustration.

Can we get them their own message board? Then, we could title this one 'Los Angeles Kings (common sense)'

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Heck, I get the frustration. I have obviously criticized the org a lot. I have more criticisms for the org, am frustrated with Fiala, and am still not trusting Blake's judgment on the direction of the organization.

But I think people conflate their frustrations as far as issues with the org, and that some key details are forgotten amidst the frustration.

I just don't feel like I should need to preface each post with "I love hiller and he's been great for this org" in order for it to not be some macrocommentary.

 

[Surf Nutz]

Can you provide some actual examples of people who predicted the Kings' "demise"? By "demise," I assume you mean missing the playoffs.

It seems to me that what you're imagining were actually people expressing frustration about likely finishing 3rd in the Pacific Division and once again opening against Edmonton. Looking at the standings, it appears that's exactly what’s going to happen. If those are indeed the people you’re referring to, how can they have egg on their faces before a playoff series has even been won?

You and Axl seem to believe that anyone who doesn’t share your view that the Kings are Stanley Cup contenders must think the Kings are terrible. I often wonder if this is an intentional straw man or if you genuinely can only see things in black and white.

I am not really talking about the playoffs specifically, as most post don't go directly there.

I am not digging through the toilet for any comments either.

When someone leaves a stinker in the bowl, after I gag then I I flush it.

After the historic PLD fiasco , the moves since have been good.

Many criticized those moves and they have been wrong since then.

Oh and to idiots trying to encourage me to leave, I am going nowhere, cry all you want, form a a support group but if you make stupid comments towards me, I

will fire back like a missile defense system.

KIss my ask.

Hiller has gotten great results without their top damn and they are a top defensive team in the league.

And to those criticizers (not anyone who doesn't share my view the team is a dark horse in the stacked Pacific) I say, You got that omelette face?"

I do respect commenters that shift their position and talk realistically about where the team really is now.

 

[chris kontos]

yeah unless he's playing the long game and just hiding the playbook for later, it was basically all the same old songs vs. the oilers

minus a few shifts when they were actually shadowing mcdavid and draisaitl, that was interesting

Yeah thats it
Their about to unveil a new strategic offense that will not only drive us past the i
Oilers- we will win the stanley cup in a walk and revolutionize modern hockey as we know it.
We jus bin playin possum

 

[Bandit]

I just don't feel like I should need to preface each post with "I love hiller and he's been great for this org" in order for it to not be some macrocommentary.

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

That McSaviour hit on Laferriere was fkcing dirty no wonder Alex tried to lasso and hog tie the whiny Ah-hole cause in Edmonton he can do no wrong and League must have a mandate don't touch the "Golden" boy...I was happy to see Kempe slew foot him it was pay back cause sometimes that's a bitch McFkc off

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

That McSaviour hit on Laferriere was fkcing dirty no wonder Alex tried to lasso and hog tie the whiny Ah-hole cause in Edmonton he can do no wrong and League must have a mandate don't touch the "Golden" boy...I was happy to see Kempe slew foot him it was pay back cause sometimes that's a bitch McFkc off

Same hit he put on Andersson earlier on.....just on the bench side, made it look worse, but yea, anyone should have taken an exception to that hit