Kevin Fiala, the forward for the Los Angeles Kings, made a strong return to the lineup for Wednesday night’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights. This came after he was benched for missing a team meeting on Tuesday in San Jose. Kings coach Jim Hiller addressed Fiala’s absence, stating that they had discussed the issue and were moving forward from it.
While Fiala has had a productive start to the season with four goals and six points in nine games, there are concerns about the number of penalties he has been taking. With 12 penalty minutes, including four in the game against Utah, Hiller emphasized the importance of Fiala reducing his penalties. Despite having a successful season last year with 29 goals and 73 points, Fiala’s performance this year has not met the high expectations set for him.
Hiller acknowledged that Fiala is a dedicated player who cares deeply about his performance on the ice. Although he has yet to reach the level of play he aspired to this season, there is confidence that he will bounce back and regain his form. The coach highlighted Fiala’s ability to overcome challenges and expressed optimism about his future contributions to the team.
Moving forward, the focus will be on helping Fiala improve his discipline and decision-making on the ice to avoid unnecessary penalties. By addressing these areas of concern, both Fiala and the Kings aim to elevate their performance and achieve success in the upcoming games.
Despite the setbacks, Fiala’s return to the lineup signifies a fresh start and an opportunity to showcase his skills and talent on the ice. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Fiala to see how he responds to the challenges he has faced and how he contributes to the Kings’ success in the games to come.