Los Angeles Kings Shake Up Coaching Staff Ahead Of Potential Playoff Push
The Los Angeles Kings are shaking up their coaching staff, firing head coach Todd McLellan. Jim Hiller will take over head coaching duties in an interim role.
McLellan was hired as the Kings head coach in April 2019. Los Angeles had a 141-115-34 record during McLellan's tenure. The team went to the playoffs the previous two seasons, both resulted in first-round exits at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers.
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The Kings' Interim Head Coach
Hiller played 63 NHL games over three seasons with the Kings and Detroit Red Wings. After retiring from playing, the British Columbia native began coaching in junior hockey.
His first head coaching job was with the Tri-City Americans of the WHL. Hiller won the WHL Coach of the Year award in the 2011-12 season.
Hiller's first NHL job was as an assistant with the Detroit Red Wings where he spent a season before heading to Toronto. After a stint in New York with the Islanders, he was hired onto McLellan's staff in 2019.
L.A. Kings 2022-24 Season
L.A. has a 23-15-10 record through the first 48 games of the season. Their 56 points are good for 4th in the Pacific, behind Vancouver, Las Vegas and Edmonton.
Adrian Kempe and Kevin Fiala lead the squad with 43 points apiece, while Trevor Moore leads the way with 21 goals.
If the season ended today, the Kings would hold the first wild-card playoff spot in the West, leading to a first-round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche.
Los Angeles will host Edmonton on February 10th in their first game back following the NHL All-Star break. Goaltender Cam Talbot is the lone King on the All-Star rosters. The 36-year-old 2.59 goals against average and a .911 save percentage in his 32 games this season.
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