D.J. Smith Navigates Playoff Pressure as Kings Seek Upset Against Avalanche

D.J. Smith, a Windsor, Ontario native, recalls his childhood anticipation for the Stanley Cup playoffs, a time he equated to Christmas. Growing up a Red Wings fan, he and his brother eagerly tuned in to watch legends like Steve Yzerman. Now, as the head coach of the Los Angeles Kings, Smith finds himself immersed in that same exhilarating atmosphere, albeit with a more serious focus.

“To be up here is special,” Smith acknowledged. “But you’ve got to turn the page on that. I’ve got a job to do.” His commitment to that job was evident in Game 1 of the Kings’ first-round series against the Colorado Avalanche. Despite a narrow 2-1 loss, the Kings pushed the NHL’s top team to the brink, showcasing resilience and determination.

The Kings will look to even the series in Game 2 before heading back to Crypto.com Arena for Games 3 and 4. Smith’s playoff experience is not entirely new; he served as an assistant coach with the Maple Leafs in three postseason runs and was part of Jim Hiller’s staff last spring when the Kings made their playoff appearance. Though those teams fell short in the first round, Smith took valuable lessons from those experiences.

“You’ve got to slow it down in your mind. Things happen quick,” he explained, emphasizing the need for calm decision-making in high-pressure situations. “But they have to be made calmly. And the players need to know you’re under control at all times.” Smith’s strategic adjustments proved effective in Game 1, where a mishandled puck resulted in Logan O’Connor’s decisive breakaway goal. The Kings managed to limit the high-scoring Avalanche to just two goals, successfully containing the league’s most potent line.

Despite the loss, Smith remained optimistic. “We fall short. But there’s a lot of good things,” he remarked post-game. He quickly began strategizing for Game 2, identifying areas for improvement. “I think we could be on the net more. We’ve got to be more physical. We’ve got to hit their [defense] more. And I expect that in the next game.”

There’s also the possibility of a roster change, with Smith considering the return of Andrei Kuzmenko, who is recovering from surgery. “In order to beat this team, we’re going to have to be better than good,” Smith stated, stressing the need for sustained offensive pressure and effective forechecking.

While this playoff run is a dream come true for Smith, it carries a bittersweet edge, coming at the expense of his friend Hiller, who was let go just before the postseason. Smith, 48, previously coached in Ottawa, where he faced challenges, yet his experience positioned him as an ideal candidate to take the reins in Los Angeles.

General manager Ken Holland’s decision to promote Smith was aimed at injecting consistency into the team’s performance. “I feel like our team hasn’t played consistent enough. We’ve underperformed,” Holland noted at the time of the change. Under Smith’s leadership, the Kings have exhibited increased aggression and urgency, a sentiment echoed by captain Anze Kopitar, who highlighted the shift in team energy.

As the Kings embark on this playoff journey, they are united in their goal of advancing beyond the first round for the first time in over a decade. Should Smith succeed, he may find himself shedding the interim tag, making this playoff experience all the more memorable.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.