You know... I tried to believe. I tried to give y’all the benefit of the doubt. LA Kings, Pacific Division champs, home ice advantage, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl supposedly “figured out,” and a 2-0 lead in the series. It was all lined up.
And then... you challenged a goal.
For goaltender interference.
AFTER it was already reviewed.
facepalms
Let’s be real — this wasn't a 50/50 call. This wasn't a grey area. It was clean. It was cleaner than the entire Kings defensive zone coverage in Games 3 through 6. And you still threw the red flag like you had nothing left to lose. Spoiler alert: you did.
You lost your timeout, your momentum, and your dignity. But hey, at least Edmonton was kind enough to return the favor with four straight wins.
COACHING INEPTITUDE
Now let’s talk about Jim Hiller.
How does a guy look this overmatched in the playoffs?
This was his audition. Interim tag, team firing on all cylinders in the regular season — and he crumbles. Like a stale cookie. No adjustments. No urgency. And don’t get me started on the line deployments. Dude looked like he was spinning a wheel labeled “hope” and “pray” after every period.
Then he gets snippy when a reporter dares to ask what the hell his gameplan was after blowing a 3-1 lead in Game 4.
I’ll tell you what it was: “Get embarrassed.”
THE COLLAPSE
2-0 lead in the series.
3-1 lead in Game 4.
Gone.
Evaporated like LA fans when the Lakers miss the playoffs.
You were this close to putting the Oilers in the dirt.
Instead, you just became another entry in their “We Own You” scrapbook. Four straight series losses to Edmonton. That’s not a rivalry, that’s a ritual.
You know what the Kings got for free? Not the win. Not the series. Just pain.
FINAL VERDICT
Jim Hiller should not be coaching this team next season. Period. Someone should challenge his claim to the throne, and unlike that goalie interference nonsense, this one would stand. Because the evidence is right here, clear as day.
Congrats Kings.
Congrats on being the only team that can take the best shutdown defense in the West, a Vezina-caliber goalie, and a 2-0 lead — and still manage to look like they’ve never seen a playoff forecheck in their lives.
I got a two-minute minor for an unsuccessful challenge.
Jim Hiller got four losses and an early tee time.
Enjoy the offseason. You earned it.
Thanks for reading.
And : when you gamble your season on a challenge, you better be damn sure it’s not already been reviewed.
Because if it has…
Well, the only free thing you’re getting is pain.
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