Kings Turn to a New Look on the Power Play - and a Familiar Face in an Unfamiliar Role
When the Los Angeles Kings hit the ice for practice, head coach Jim Hiller had a question for veteran defenseman Brian Dumoulin.
“When’s the last time you played the power play?” he asked.
Dumoulin’s answer? “I think 2017, in Pittsburgh.”
That’s a long time to be off the man-advantage unit. But Hiller wasn’t asking out of curiosity-he was setting the stage.
“Well,” Hiller told him. “That’s gonna be today.”
And just like that, Dumoulin, a stay-at-home defenseman known more for steady play than power-play production, is now quarterbacking the Kings’ second unit. It’s a surprising move on paper-Dumoulin has never topped six goals or 24 assists in a season, and his last power-play shift came nearly a decade ago. But when your power play ranks 28th in the NHL at 14.1%, and you’ve managed just two goals in your last nine games with the man advantage, it’s time to shake things up.
A Power Play in Flux
The Kings have been searching for answers on the power play all season. They opened the year experimenting with a five-forward first unit, while the second unit featured a more traditional setup with two defensemen-Drew Doughty and Brandt Clarke. But with Doughty sidelined by a lower-body injury, the team’s structure needed a reboot.
Clarke has since stepped into Doughty’s spot on the top unit, and now Dumoulin is getting the nod to help stabilize the second group.
“I mean, we’ve talked about this for a while,” Hiller said. “More than anything, the energy had to change. We kept going back to the well, and it just had to change.”
It’s not just about tactics-it’s about momentum. The Kings’ power play has been stuck in neutral, and Hiller is hoping Dumoulin’s veteran poise can help spark something new.
Filling the Void Left by Doughty
Doughty’s absence doesn’t just impact the power play-it leaves a massive hole in the Kings’ overall defensive rotation. The veteran blueliner regularly logs 23 to 24 minutes a night, and those minutes don’t replace themselves.
“When Drew goes out, that’s 23, 24 [minutes per game], so someone’s gotta pick up the slack,” Hiller said. “[Jacob] Moverare’s picked up some, but then there’s extra to go around. [Dumoulin’s] really filled the void there for us and played well.”
Dumoulin has quietly earned the coaching staff’s trust by doing what he’s always done: playing smart, responsible hockey. Now, he’s being asked to stretch his game a bit-stepping into a role he hasn’t played in years, and doing it on the fly.
Keeping It Simple
Given the long layoff from power-play duty, Hiller didn’t overcomplicate things in practice. The emphasis wasn’t on running set plays or simulating game-speed pressure. It was about comfort, familiarity, and building confidence.
“We didn’t even practice it under full pressure today,” Hiller said. “Let’s just get in our spots.
Let’s move the puck around. Have a little pressure.
Let’s feel good, let’s go play tomorrow. So we just don’t want to overthink that part of it right now.”
It’s a pragmatic approach. The Kings aren’t asking Dumoulin to be Erik Karlsson overnight. They’re asking him to help stabilize a unit that’s been searching for rhythm-and maybe spark something by doing the little things right.
A Playoff Feel in December
Dumoulin’s power-play debut comes as the Kings prepare to host the Washington Capitals-a team they just faced about two weeks ago. It’s part of a quirky stretch in the schedule that includes back-to-back games against the Chicago Blackhawks later this week. While uncommon, these mini-series can bring a unique edge.
“It does set up a little bit like a playoff series would, where you’re focused on one team specifically,” Hiller said. “For both teams, you can get just a little more dialed in.”
In a long NHL season filled with travel and constant opponent changes, these short-term rematches offer a chance to dig deeper into matchups and systems. Players can make quicker adjustments, and coaches get a more focused window to evaluate and tweak.
“You get that same team in short periods, and I think they dig in a little bit more to exactly what’s going on, and they make their own adjustments within the game themselves,” Hiller added.
Looking Ahead
The Kings are in the thick of a season that’s already tested their depth and adaptability. With Doughty out, the power play sputtering, and the schedule tightening, they’re turning to a veteran who’s seen just about everything-but hasn’t seen the power play in years.
Brian Dumoulin may not be the obvious choice to revive a struggling unit, but sometimes the most effective changes are the ones no one sees coming. The Kings are betting that a little experience, a fresh look, and a simplified approach might be just what this group needs to get going.