D.J. Smith, who grew up in Windsor, Ontario, is now coaching the Los Angeles Kings in the Stanley Cup playoffs, a dream come true for the lifelong hockey fan. Taking over from Jim Hiller, who was fired with 23 games left in the regular season, Smith has led the Kings to a wild-card berth. In their playoff opener against the Colorado Avalanche, the Kings narrowly lost 2-1, with Smith emphasizing the need for strategic adjustments to enhance their performance. He highlighted the importance of physical play and maintaining puck possession, stating, 'We need more zone time.' Smith's previous head coaching experience in Ottawa, where he struggled to achieve a winning record, has equipped him with valuable lessons for this high-stakes moment. The Kings have not advanced past the first round in over a decade, and Smith's success could lead to him shedding the interim label. His leadership has already sparked a renewed sense of urgency and cohesion among the players, as they prepare for Game 2 in hopes of leveling the series.