May 6, 2025 — NHL Playoffs Take Unexpected Turn as Off-Ice Antics Ignite Coaching Feud
In an astonishing twist during the heated NHL playoff series, Los Angeles Kings head coach Jim Hiller has made headlines by calling on the league to ban or restrict a group of rowdy Edmonton Oilers fans known as the “Bikini Squad”, citing their behavior as a “psychological disruption” to his players.
At a post-game press conference on Sunday night, following a 4–2 loss to the Oilers in Edmonton, Hiller didn’t hold back. “I’m all for passionate fans, but when you’ve got people half-dressed and screaming behind the bench nonstop, it crosses a line. It’s affecting the flow of the game, the mental focus of my players, and quite frankly, it’s unprofessional,” he said.
Who Are the “Bikini Squad”?
The so-called “Bikini Squad” is a group of female Oilers fans who’ve gained viral fame for showing up to home games in bold, themed swimwear—often painted in team colors—and leading chants from the front rows near the visiting team’s bench. Their energy, noise, and constant presence on social media have made them cult icons among Oilers Nation.
But not everyone is cheering.
According to Coach Hiller, the Bikini Squad’s antics are more than just spirited fandom—they’re a calculated distraction. “They’re using this like a weapon. It’s not about hockey anymore. It’s about spectacle,” he said, calling on the NHL to impose dress codes or restrict where such fans can sit.
Edmonton Fires Back: “This Is Hockey, Not a Tea Party”
It didn’t take long for Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch to respond—and he didn’t pull any punches.
“Are you serious?” Knoblauch scoffed when asked about Hiller’s comments. “Our fans are passionate. They show up. They’re loud. That’s what hockey’s about. If you’re getting rattled by a few fans in bikinis, maybe it’s not the crowd that needs adjusting.”
The coach continued, “We’re not apologizing for having the best fans in the league. If they’re in your head, maybe we’re already winning.”
Fans Take Sides: “This Is the NHL, Not the Opera”
The controversy has ignited a firestorm across social media and sports talk shows. Kings supporters say Hiller is simply standing up for professionalism and player focus. “It’s not about the outfits,” one Kings fan tweeted. “It’s about having a circus act distract world-class athletes mid-play.”
But Oilers fans are doubling down in support of their now-famous Bikini Squad.
“Imagine blaming your playoff loss on women in swimsuits,” said one fan on X (formerly Twitter). “The Kings should worry less about us and more about scoring goals.”
Memes, parody accounts, and even custom T-shirts have already popped up online with phrases like “Fear the Bikini Squad” and “Psychological Disruptors: 1, Kings: 0.”
NHL Yet to Respond
So far, the NHL has not issued a formal statement, though league insiders say officials are “aware” of the situation and “monitoring conduct on and off the ice closely.”
If the league were to consider Hiller’s request, it could spark a broader debate about fan expression, in-game entertainment, and gender bias in sports environments. Critics have noted that male fans frequently go shirtless and paint their bodies at games without facing similar scrutiny.
What’s Next?
Game 5 returns to Los Angeles on Thursday night, and all eyes will be on the stands—just as much as the scoreboard. Kings fans have already hinted online that they might show up with their own version of a “Speedo Squad” in response.
Meanwhile, the Bikini Squad has posted a cryptic TikTok with the caption: “See you Thursday, LA 👙✈️ #GameDayEnergy” — confirming they plan to attend the road game.
As the battle for the Stanley Cup rages on, the rivalry between the Oilers and Kings has spilled far beyond the rink. What started as a playoff series is now a cultural flashpoint—and the NHL has a decision to make.
