LA Kings: 10 Areas They Need to Succeed in To Continue Winning Big in 2011

LA Kings

The Los Angeles Kings aren't getting the same type of notice as the Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings, but they quietly have the third-most wins in the NHL.

Southern California doesn't exactly strike many as the core of hockey, but fans are buying into an L.A. Kings team that is looking to make the playoffs for the second-straight season.

It's the first time they've been relevant since a guy named Wayne Gretzky played there.

While the Kings are playing exceptionally well, there's a lot of hockey yet to be played.  Here are 10 areas in which they need to succeed in order to maintain their success...

10. Marco Sturm Needs to Prove His Worth

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

BUFFALO, NY - APRIL 15: Marco Sturm #16 of the Boston Bruins skates against the Buffalo Sabres in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at HSBC Arena on April 15, 2010 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by R

Marco Sturm was traded to the Kings from Boston in a purely salary-cap motivated move for the Bruins.

He's not a superstar, but the 12-year veteran put up 22 goals last season and could be a key addition to the Kings.

As Anze Kopitar's linemate, Sturm should become a contributor.

9. Alexei Ponikarovsky Needs To Contribute

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 30: Alexei Ponikarovsky #27 of the Los Angeles Kings plays against the New Jersey Devils in the game at Staples Center on October 30, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The Kings defeated the Devils 3-1. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Gett

Alexei Ponikarovsky is a proven 20-goal scorer, but he has struggled mightily this season.

He's only managed to get into 22 games, is currently injured and has just three goals and four assists.

If Ponikarovsky can get back on track, it would be a big help for the Kings.

8. The Goals Need to Keep on Coming

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

SAN JOSE, CA - DECEMBER 27: Drew Doughty #8 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates with teammates after Dustin Brown #23 scores a goal against the San Jose Sharks during an NHL hockey game at the HP Pavilion on December 27, 2010 in San Jose, California. The

L.A.'s success is primarily due to its defense, but the Kings have improved on the offensive end lately, rising to 11th in the NHL in scoring (2.9 goals per game).

The Kings have scored 30 goals in their last eight games and if they can keep up this pace, they could be unstoppable.

7. The Defense Just Needs to be Itself

Harry How/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 11: Patrick O'Sullivan #19 of the Minnesota Wild breaks in on Drew Doughty #8 of the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center on December 11, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Led by stars Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson, the Kings have one of the best—if not the best—defenses in the league.

They allow the second-fewest goals in the NHL, at just 2.2 per game.

6. Dustin Brown Needs to Stay Hot

Harry How/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 11: Dustin Brown #23 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates his goal against the Minnesota Wild during the game at the Staples Center on December 11, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

While Anze Kopitar still leads the team in points, Dustin Brown is pacing the Kings in goals.

Brown has recorded a point in 10 of his last 12 games, with seven multi-point contests.

He has 16 goals and 17 assists in the Kings' 35 games, putting him on pace for a 37-40-77 season.

5. Jack Johnson Needs to Play to His Potential

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 19: Troy Brouwer #22 of the Chicago Blackhawks moves to the puck around Jack Johnson #3 of the Los Angeles Kings at the United Center on December 19, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Kings 3-2. (Photo by Jonat

Despite his 24 points, a great mark for a defenseman, Jack Johnson hasn't been as solid on the defensive end.

A career minus-57 player entering the year, Johnson is having the best plus-minus season of his young career.  

He's still at just plus-one, though.

Since November 13, he's plus-seven and is showing signs of his limitless potential.

If he ever puts it all together, watch out.

4. Continue Dominating on the Penalty Kill

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 23: Linus Omark #23 of the Edmonton Oilers tries to cover the puck against Alec Martinez #53 of the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on December 23, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The Kings have the fourth-ranked penalty-killing unit in the NHL, preventing goals on 86 percent of opponents' opportunities.

Not convinced of their greatness?

How about this:  the Blackhawks, Canucks and Lightning—the NHL's top-three power players— are a combined one-for-19 on the man advantage.

How's that for dominant?

3. The Power Play Needs to Sustain Its Improvement

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

SAN JOSE, CA - DECEMBER 27: Ryan Smyth #94 of the Los Angeles Kings cant stuff the puck pass goalie Antti Niemi #31 of the San Jose Sharks during an NHL hockey game at the HP Pavilion on December 27, 2010 in San Jose, California. The Kings won the game 4-

The Kings are just 17th in the NHL on the power play, scoring on 16.8 percent of their opportunities.

That number was much worse earlier in the season and L.A. has scored at least one power-play goal in eight of its last 10 games.

The Kings need to keep doing what they're doing with the man-advantage.

2. Jonathan Quick Needs to Keep Playing Like a Vezina Contender

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 23: Goaltender Jonathan Quick #32 makes a save against the Edmonton Oilers at Staples Center on December 23, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The Kings won 3-2 in a shootout. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The main reason for the Kings' success has been Jonathan Quick's outstanding play.

He's quieted all rumors of Jonathan Bernier taking over his starting job, with a 1.86 GAA (second in the NHL) and .932 save percentage (third in the NHL).

If it wasn't for Tim Thomas's eye-popping stats, Quick would be at the top of the Vezina discussion right now.

1. Keep Doing Whatever They're Doing

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 23: Drew Doughty #8 of the Los Angeles Kings congratulates goaltender Jonathan Quick #32 after Quick stopped the final shot to secure the win in a shootout against the Edmonton Oilers at Staples Center on December 23, 2010 in L

After a scorching 12-3-0 start to the season, the Kings went seven games without a win in regulation, falling to 13-10-0.

They've been on an 8-2-1 tear ever since and have improved to 20-12-1 on the year.

Whatever it is they're doing on this streak, which includes two wins over NHL points leader Detroit, the Kings need to keep doing it.

Matt Rudnitsky is a student at the University of Michigan and a Featured Columnist/writing intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Mattrud