What we learned from the Ducks’ 4-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights

The Ducks played perhaps their worst game of the season Wednesday night and fell to the Vegas Golden Knights, 4-2, in the first-ever regular-season meeting between the squads. The loss halted the Ducks’ season-best three-game winning streak and, with it, all the momentum the team built after an uneven start to the campaign. Here’s what we learned:

At some point the Ducks must find a way to limit shots. The Ducks are allowing an insane number of shots right now, and John Gibson is being taxed in net. He faced 49 shots versus the Golden Knights and another 51 on Sunday. Reto Berra withstood 42 on Monday. The Ducks are allowing the most shots in the league, and Randy Carlyle needs to find a way to fix it. Certainly the absence of two-way centers like Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler is affecting team defense. But the team also needs stronger play from players like Sami Vatanen, who passed the puck right to the opposition on a clear attempt in front of the net on Wednesday.

Mike Liambas lays plenty of big hits and loves to scrap, but he’s a liability. He was recalled from San Diego last week to provide toughness, and he has. But he continues to live in the penalty box. Through three games he’s racked up 16 penalty minutes, though 10 of those are from fights. Still, he committed two minor penalties Wednesday. There’s a reason the enforcer is a trend of the past in the NHL.

The Golden Knights are for real. They don’t boast firepower up front besides goal scorers James Neal and David Perron, but they produce due to a strong team concept. Their forecheck is relentless, they’re strong on the puck and they play disciplined hockey. The Ducks’ newest Pacific Division neighbor could be a thorn in the side all season if this first game was any indication.

The Golden Knights are tops in the division, and they’re still missing all-star goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. A couple of deals at the deadline and this expansion team could make history.