After 10 losses in their previous 12 games, it was hard to see how things could get worse for the Los Angeles Kings in this month long slide.

Then the San Jose Sharks came to town. A team sitting firmly in last place and on pace for one of the worst season's in the cap era.

Surely the Kings would get some momentum going off the back of a comfortable win over the Sharks, right?

Wrong, the Kings left Crypto.com Arena with their 11th loss in their last 13 games and another one-goal loss. This time in a shootout.

This is also the second-straight shootout where the Kings didn't score on their two attempts and didn't get a single save.

It was more than just the loss in isolation that's so disappointing for the Kings, it's also the predictable nature of the loss.

It was yet another game where the Kings peppered the opposition goalie, had a ton of chances, and failed to finish,

Naturally, this came back to bite them, and while they clawed back into the game and earned a point, it isn't good enough given the Kings' recent struggles.

This felt a lot more like a point lost than a point earned despite a late tying goal.

Something has to change for this team and fast.

Dubois Back to Lines Three: 

I've spent a lot of this season preaching patience regarding Pierre-Luc Dubois. 

Pointing out some of the context surrounding his struggles and why there should be optimism that he could turn things around.

I'm not saying patience isn't still a good policy, nor am I saying that all optimism is lost, but Monday was one of Dubois more damning games.

The immediate improvement of the first line after Dubois was flipped with Quinton Byfield was so drastic that it was impossible to ignore.

It went beyond any stylistic fit or preferred position and was indictive of one player simply being noticeably better.

Yes, that's partially due to Byfield being an excellent player now, but also a bad look for Dubois.

Here is what Todd McLellan said on the switch post-game:

"I didn’t think they had a lot going. I thought they needed a little more energy and naturally Q’s been there before and he’s done that for that line. That’s why that change was made."

As I always say, don't read too much into post-game comments, but I do think his use of the word "energy" is worth noting.

Reading between the lines, it wasn't just that Byfield brings a lot of energy, it's also that Dubois doesn't bring enough.

McLellan also let slip some clear frustration with Dubois before making the point that several players aren't performing.

Of course, trying to pin all of a team's issues on a single player, or coach, would be foolish. But it's difficult not to be disappointed in Dubois' play right now.

Given his contract and the expectations of him coming in, McLellan hit the nail on the head, he needs to be a difference maker.

Right now, he is anything but.