Kings fire coach Jim Hiller as Los Angeles' playoff chances tumble out of Olympic break
CBS Sports
by
Austin Nivison
March 1, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The Los Angeles Kings have made a significant move by firing head coach Jim Hiller during a critical playoff race in the Western Conference. With just 23 games remaining and only three points behind the final wild card spot, the team is banking on a change in leadership to spark a much-needed turnaround. D.J. Smith has been named interim coach, stepping in after Hiller's tenure, which saw mixed results including two playoff appearances but both ending with early exits to the Edmonton Oilers.
Hiller was hired midway through the 2024 season to replace Todd McLellan and later transitioned into a full-time role. Over his time with the Kings, he led the team to a 93-58-24 record across 175 games. Despite his efforts, the Kings faced persistent challenges in generating consistent offense, ranking 29th in scoring this season according to Natural Stat Trick. This offensive struggles were particularly evident after the NHL resumed play following the Olympic break, with Los Angeles surrendering 14 goals in their first two games back.
The timing of Hiller's departure is crucial as the Kings aim to avoid missing the playoffs for the first time since 2017. The team had legitimate playoff aspirations entering the season but has seen its chances dwindle following the Olympic break. General Manager Ken Holland emphasized that the decision was made to position the team for success, acknowledging Hiller's contributions while prioritizing a potential coaching change to reignite their playoff hopes.
D.J. Smith, who previously coached the Ottawa Senators from 2019-24, now faces the challenge of leading the Kings to a stronger finish. The team is currently at a 35% chance of making the playoffs according to MoneyPuck, and Smith will need to extract more offense from a squad that has struggled to score consistently under Hiller. With playoff contention on the line, this coaching change represents a pivotal moment for Los Angeles as they seek to reverse their
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 3/1/2026