Holiday Wish List for the Los Angeles Kings in 2014-15

The Los Angeles Kings are struggling of late, with losses in four of their last five games, all of which have come against Eastern Conference opponents. 

There's no one major issue to account for the losses—no star player out with mumps or terrible goaltending—it's simply a cold stretch. The Kings are set for a home-and-home with the St. Louis Blues before hosting the Arizona Coyotes and Calgary Flames in the days leading up to December 25. 

With that in mind, there are a few areas where improvements can be made and other things that come down to luck. This is the Kings' holiday wish list for 2014-15.

Faceoff Wins

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The Kings have been one of the best puck possession teams in the NHL in recent years, and that starts with winning faceoffs. 

Here is a look at their faceoff percentage over the last few years and how each ranked: 

• 2013-14: 52.8 (T2nd)
• 2012-13: 52 (T4th)
• 2011-12 : 51.5 (7th)

L.A. is winning just 51.2 of its faceoffs this season, which ranks 11th in the NHL. Jeff Carter has been solid, winning over 55 percent of his draws, but Anze Kopitar (50.6 percent), Jarret Stoll (52.2 percent) and Mike Richards (47.5 percent) have got to be a lot better. 

The Kings are at their best when they control the play and limit the opposition to few quality scoring chances.

They need more faceoff wins—especially in the defensive zone—to do that. 

Marian Gaborik at 100 Percent

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Marian Gaborik was a key part of the Kings' playoff success in 2013-14. He pushed them over the top.

However, injuries are now pushing him out of the lineup. 

Gaborik has played in just 19 games and hasn't looked himself in many of his appearances. He's notched five goals and four assists for nine points.

In four games in December, he has just one goal. 

When asked about a possible link between his health and performance, Gaborik had the following to say, according to LAKingsInsider.com:

"

It’s just been unfortunate. I’ve been hurt, then get I back and it takes a little bit of time to get back. Then I get hurt again. Hopefully I will maintain to stay healthy and build on yesterday. Make sure the starts to the games are there and get my legs under me and use them. That’s my biggest thing.

"

The Kings will be a different team offensively if they can get Gaborik and Kopitar back on the same page both at even strength and on the power play. 

Jeff Carter Offensive Outburst

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Jeff Carter got off to an excellent start this season. Unfortunately, his production has slowed of late.

In fact, slow may be an understatement.

Carter has no goals and one assist in his past nine games and is a minus-six over that stretch. In five of those games, he's recorded one or no shots.

Carter needs to find his scoring touch—fast.

His last goal came nearly a month ago on November 18. 

With the lines being shuffled a number of times in recent weeks, it's not an issue of chemistry with the same linemates game in and game out.

Could it be a case of going hard to the net and getting a garbage goal and the flood gates opening? 

Good Health, No Mumps

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Of course, all teams are hoping for good health, but this season a particular illness is affecting many players around the league.

Mumps.

According to LAKingsInsider.com, the Kings received shots for the viral infection on November 16. However, the shots were not mandatory, and it's not known if any players refused the shots. 

A total of 15 NHL players have been diagnosed with the virus at this time, including Sidney Crosby.

An Effective Power Play

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The Kings rank 17th in the NHL with an average of 2.61 goals per game. When you're third in the league, allowing just 2.23 goals per game, that's not a bad offensive output. 

However, the Kings could easily be in the top half of the NHL in scoring if not for a weak power play. It's hovered around 15 percent all season and currently ranks 20th at 15.5 percent efficiency. 

The Kings need to do a better job of getting pucks to the net from the point and jumping on rebounds.

Also, setting up snipers like Jeff Carter in space is key. With Gaborik back and healthy, that should give Darryl Sutter more options on the two units.