Post-Game Talk: Hiller vs Kings Game 4

[Axl Rhoadz]

Well they’re god-mode players. If you got the nuclear weapons, that’s a check you can cash.

You still see they’re not that good though.

My point is Hiller isn’t gonna throw out Spence/Clarke/Mov against those two.

So the over usage of our top guys is directly related to the usage of their top guys.

 

[CarlSneep]

Hiller is really following the loser coach playbook. Just needs to play Rittich next game.

 

[Master Yoda]

The ‘reporter’ as in Dennis Bernstein, who everyone here claims doesn’t ask the HARD QUESTIONS?

If we're talking about the same question, that wasn't even a hard question.

 

[ahmedou]

Take a look at the LA Kings defensemen TOI. Against the Edmonton Oilers. In Game 4.

 

[CarlSneep]

If we're talking about the same question, that wasn't even a hard question.

Hardest question he has faced all season

 

[Maynard]

Interesting how Hiller gets his shit caved in in the 3rd period for two games in a row and then acts like a smug prick when he’s asked about it in a totally reasonable way during a press conference. What a f***ing prissy little whiner.

 

[Herby]

The ‘reporter’ as in Dennis Bernstein, who everyone here claims doesn’t ask the HARD QUESTIONS?

You think that was a hard question?

That is the first question any coach at any level would be asked after blowing another third period lead. Just because he lost his mind and answered the way he did does not make it a hard question.

That brings up the question, if Hiller is not playing 5 players because he doesn't trust them, how was this not addressed at the deadline? Is Hiller not communicating with BLuc?

Well in fairness to management, Jeannot has been injured, which has had a big negative impact on the 4th line, he was clearly the one that made that line click. And how were they supposed to know that Hiller would go from overplaying Turcotte in a prime role for half the season next to Kopitar and Kempe to suddenly healthy scratching him in favor of corpses, career minor leaguers and 7th defenseman. The usage of Turcotte this season has been a tale of two extremes that have been unfair and terrible to him. I still have no idea why he is not playing over everybody on our 4th line last night, but who knows at this point, maybe he's injured?

 

[bmr]

Darryl built trust in 4th line, Hiller seems to do the opposite.

100% spot on here.

I think there's 2 major things that are going to prevent the Kings from winning this series, or if they actually get by the Oilers, will prevent them from advancing:

1. Too much reliance on the top pairings - they were all gassed last night and there's no way they can keep up with Edmonton in that scenario. Look at the box score from last night. Edmonton had Emberson on for 8:38 and Podkolzin for 9:34. The Kings had Helenius at 1:44, Moverare at 2:26, Malott at 2:27 and Lewis at 5:19. Four of the defenseman over 30 minutes and most of the top forwards in the high 20s. There is no way Hiller can keep doing this over the course of the playoffs and be successful.
2. Coaching - seeing Hiller's responses last night under pressure showed me that he does not have that 'Sutter' type of mentality that you want in the playoffs. Just seems more frazzled. I think that can reverberate around the team.

Going to give them the benefit of the doubt for now, but not taking one of those games in Edmonton is going to cost them the series IMHO.

 

[tigermask48]

Hardest question he has faced all season

That was what made it so funny. It was a gross over-reaction to a really reasonable question.
Can you imagine Hiller's response if it was actually a tough question?

 

[GKJ]

My point is Hiller isn’t gonna throw out Spence/Clarke/Mov against those two.

So the over usage of our top guys is directly related to the usage of their top guys.

That’s a result of poor roster construction though. I don’t blame the coach for that.

 

[Master Yoda]

You think that was a hard question?

That is the first question any coach at any level would be asked after blowing another third period lead. Just because he lost his mind and answered the way he did does not make it a hard question.

Well in fairness to management, Jeannot has been injured, which has had a big negative impact on the 4th line, he was clearly the one that made that line click. And how were they supposed to know that Hiller would go from overplaying Turcotte in a prime role for half the season next to Kopitar and Kempe to suddenly healthy scratching him in favor of corpses, career minor leaguers and 7th defenseman. The usage of Turcotte this season has been a tale of two extremes that have been unfair and terrible to him. I still have no idea why he is not playing over everybody on our 4th line last night, but who knows at this point, maybe he's injured?

Yea it wasn't necessarily a criticism of BLuc in this case, just makes no sense how Hiller has suddenly lost trust in the fourth line and the bottom pairing. If he didn't have any confidence in them, he should've told BLuc to get more guys that he can play in the playoffs. It wouldn't take much to get those types of guys for the 4th line. The player usage has been a mystery just like the play in the 3rd periods.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

That’s a result of poor roster construction though. I don’t blame the coach for that.

Well, everyone else seems to be, so what's your problem?

 

[GKJ]

Well, everyone else seems to be, so what's your problem?

Exactly what I just said

 

[jgs]

It has been clear for awhile the Kings need to fire Luc, Blake and Hiller and bring in real peopel who know how to win in the NHL. The Kings are LOSERS! The whoe panel on TNT were lost for words. Rick Bowness said it it best. He would continue to try and generate offense ffor the whole 60 minutes, make it hard for the Oilers to go the whole distance of the rink to get to their net. Further like he said they would get some chances to score. But this sorry dump the puck into the offfensive zone then hang 5 plyaers at the the center ice line allowing McDavid to gain full speed while your players are standing still trying to clog the center ice area is terrible. Oilers just blow by them and beat them to puck everytime they gain the zone. No team in the league plays the Oilers like this. Further what is up with not dressing Turcot, Spence. I mean these are top picks that played well during the season and jack*** isn't even dresiing them. then goes with only 4 d-men the whole third period who are old as dirt. Clearly this team is not being run right. Heads must roll and it starts at the top. Coachs have been fired and still the same losing results. Oilers will win the next two and KIngs are done.

 

[Schmooley]

That’s a result of poor roster construction though. I don’t blame the coach for that.

Its not really roster construction. Its player usage and thats on Hiller. The 4th line was rolling and one of the better lines down the stretch. Jeannot got injured and now the playoffs start and Hiller decided to go back to Lewis instead of Turcotte and call up Mallott who has never played in the NHL before. Helenius was good enough to take shifts in the regular season but not in the playoffs against Janmark?
The defensemen hes benching, Clarke, Spence and Moverare, played well all year. Spence had a slow start but bounced back. They did it all year without Doughty even playing. Look at how many goals against guys like Kopitar and Doughty are on for and where they are standing and tell me them losing a battle in front is any different than Turcotte losing a battle in front.
He is choosing to shoot himself in the foot.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

It has been clear for awhile the Kings need to fire Luc, Blake and Hiller and bring in real peopel who know how to win in the NHL. The Kings are LOSERS! The whoe panel on TNT were lost for words. Rick Bowness said it it best. He would continue to try and generate offense ffor the whole 60 minutes, make it hard for the Oilers to go the whole distance of the rink to get to their net. Further like he said they would get some chances to score. But this sorry dump the puck into the offfensive zone then hang 5 plyaers at the the center ice line allowing McDavid to gain full speed while your players are standing still trying to clog the center ice area is terrible. Oilers just blow by them and beat them to puck everytime they gain the zone. No team in the league plays the Oilers like this. Further what is up with not dressing Turcot, Spence. I mean these are top picks that played well during the season and jack*** isn't even dresiing them. then goes with only 4 d-men the whole third period who are old as dirt. Clearly this team is not being run right. Heads must roll and it starts at the top. Coachs have been fired and still the same losing results. Oilers will win the next two and KIngs are done.

Is that the same Rick that's unemployed for losing out in the first round the last two years? Well shit, he must know then!

 

[Fripp]

It started halfway through the second period.

I literally stood up, threw my hands up, and went for a walk when I saw them sitting in the neutral zone instead of forechecking. What the actual f*** is wrong with this team?

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

You think that was a hard question?

That is the first question any coach at any level would be asked after blowing another third period lead. Just because he lost his mind and answered the way he did does not make it a hard question.

He specifically asked a question that criticized Hiller's approach to closing out the games. What would you think would be a harder question, 'Are you concerned you might lose your job?'

 

[GKJ]

Its not really roster construction. Its player usage and thats on Hiller. The 4th line was rolling and one of the better lines down the stretch. Jeannot got injured and now the playoffs start and Hiller decided to go back to Lewis instead of Turcotte and call up Mallott who has never played in the NHL before. Helenius was good enough to take shifts in the regular season but not in the playoffs against Janmark?
The defensemen hes benching, Clarke, Spence and Moverare, played well all year. Spence had a slow start but bounced back. They did it all year without Doughty even playing. Look at how many goals against guys like Kopitar and Doughty are on for and where they are standing and tell me them losing a battle in front is any different than Turcotte losing a battle in front.
He is choosing to shoot himself in the foot.

How long have they been on about Turcotte? Helenius should be playing more.

 

[Schmooley]

How long have they been on about Turcotte? Helenius should be playing more.

Turcotte made a bad defensive play in game 1 and was scratched every game since.

 

[Master Yoda]

Turcotte made a bad defensive play in game 1 and was scratched every game since.

It's also a play/mistake veteran players make all throughout the league.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Turcotte made a bad defensive play in game 1 and was scratched every game since.

Turcotte isn't built for the playoffs...yet. He needs to come into next season about 20lbs heavier.

The dude would prob be in a body bag right now if he was seeing full time this series....let's get real, folks.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Can't play the kids...they're not ready!

 

[Schmooley]

Can't play the kids...they're not ready!

Its Todd all over again. But Hiller has more to work with than he ever did.

 

[kingsholygrail]

Turcotte isn't built for the playoffs...yet. He needs to come into next season about 20lbs heavier.

The dude would prob be in a body bag right now if he was seeing full time this series....let's get real, folks.

As opposed to Trevor Lewis who they pulled out of a body bag to play this year?