Kings Eliminated in First Round Again, Face Questions on Future

The Los Angeles Kings were ousted from the NHL playoffs by the Edmonton Oilers, marking their third consecutive first-round exit.

The Kings lost the series to the Oilers with a final game score of 4-3, ending their playoff run on Wednesday.
Despite a promising start to the season, the Kings struggled with special teams, particularly their penalty kill, which underperformed significantly.
Interim coach Jim Hiller's future is uncertain as the team contemplates leadership changes after another early playoff exit.
Pierre-Luc Dubois, despite a high-profile acquisition, underperformed, adding to the team's challenges.
The Oilers' dominance in the series was highlighted by strong performances from Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, raising questions about the Kings' ability to compete at higher levels.