Holiday Wish List for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2014-15

The Toronto Maple Leafs have had a very merry December—and it's not even the holiday season yet. The surging Leafs have lost just one game since the end of November.

Heading into Thursday night's action, the club is just three points out of first place in the competitive Eastern Conference.

The Leafs have beaten some of the best teams in the NHL in this recent stretch with wins over the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings (twice) and the Vancouver Canucks.

Despite this excellent play by a large majority of the team, things have not been perfect. Let's take a look at a holiday wish list for the Maple Leafs.

Jake Gardiner Joins the Party

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Jake Gardiner is one of the most talented young defenders in the NHL today. He's got all of the tools to be a top-pairing defenceman with game-changing puck skills.

He should be playing meaningful minutes as a top-four rearguard. He's done this regularly in the past.

So far in the 2014-15 season, he's been something much less. The Minnetonka, Minnesota, product has just two goals in 29 games. His plus-minus rating is a dismal minus-nine in those 29 games.

Gardiner's Corsi For of just 43.9 percent, per war-on-ice.com, is also not nearly where it should be for a player with his talent.

Despite Gardiner's relatively poor play, the club has been successful. The Leafs would be that much better if Gardiner could elevate his play and begin contributing at a much higher level.

Leo Komarov Returns Healthy and Productive

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Leo Komarov has been one of the best stories for the Leafs this season. His return has seen him earn 16 points in 23 games prior to his injury suffered in late November.

Komarov has played a 200-foot game for the entire season. He's been able to contribute on the Leafs' second line while also bolstering the Leafs' bottom six whenever he has been needed to play a supporting role.

The former KHLer has been everything Toronto could ask for in providing excellent two-way play, a physical game and depth scoring. He's developed into the prototypical NHL third-liner.

His healthy and productive return should be on the wish lists of all Leafs fans.

The Top Line Develops a Bigger Defensive Conscience

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Tyler Bozak, James van Riemsdyk and Phil Kessel form one of the top offensive trios in the NHL. They are incredible off the rush and can be as electrifying as any line in the NHL.

This line gets into trouble when faced with the defensive side of the game. All three players struggle to be on the right side of the puck in the defensive zone. They do a lot of chasing and at times seem very confused as to where they should be in their own end.

On some shifts, the effort level anywhere beyond the offensive zone is average at best. Collectively, this group is minus-six. Given the excellent goaltending the Leafs have had of late, combined with the better play from the defence corps, there is no excuse for this poor plus-minus rating.

This group has the tools to be a strong two-way line. The collective will of these three skaters needs to match the skill.

The Goaltending Does Not Falter

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Jonathan Bernier has been sublime during this excellent run by the club. He wasn't good against the New Jersey Devils, but in his four most recent starts Bernier has posted save percentages above .950 in every game.

His save percentage is once again over .920, and he's had a renewed air of confidence about him.

The Leafs have not needed James Reimer to any great degree, but he's been good when needed. He's posted two wins in December and posted an eye-popping .976 save percentage in making 41 saves against the Detroit Red Wings on December 10.

The Leafs continue to give up a number of high-quality chances in several games. If this tandem doesn't continue its high level of play, there could be trouble looming for the Maple Leafs.

Continued high-level goaltending should be at the top of the team's holiday wish list.

All stats can be found on NHL.com unless noted otherwise.