What we learned from the Ducks’ 4-0 loss to the Coyotes

Is this really the team that was predicted by many outlets to win the Stanley Cup?

The Ducks are 0-2-1 and have been outscored 7-1 in the first three games of the season. It goes beyond numbers, too, because they haven’t appeared close to the hard forechecking, cohesive, five-man wave-after-wave team that defined them last season.

Here’s what we learned after a 4-0 loss to the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday:

It’s time for self-reflection

Three games into a season is no time to panic, but the Ducks had some harsh self-criticism that will simmer for the next 48 hours.

It might not be at the point of closed-door team meetings, but it’s never a good sign when the cliched lack of desperation is evident, especially this early.

“I don’t know what we’re doing,” Ryan Kesler said. “It’s frustrating. We can’t let that creep into our game, though. I think we’re as (angry) as anybody. It’s not the type of effort we want. If we think we’re just going to come in here on Friday and magically it’s going to happen, it’s not. We’ve got to put our work boots on, and that starts with will and passion.”

The feeling-out process is over

Kesler essentially downplayed the notion that the Ducks are still learning how to integrate four new players into their lineup.

He sounded like they should be beyond that point even though it is this early.

“I don’t think it’s about chemistry,” Kesler said. “I think it’s about playing hockey and playing hockey the right way -- working smart and working hard.”

Said captain Ryan Getzlaf, “Hockey’s started and we’re kind of waiting right now.”

The example was set by Arizona

The loss came in direct contrast to Arizona, which finished last in the Western Conference last season with 56 points yet is off to a 3-0-0 start thanks to an organized attack and passion that has yet to be seen with Anaheim.

The Coyotes started two 20-year-old rookies in Max Domi and Anthony Duclair, who combined for all their goals on the strength of Duclair’s first career hat trick. Arizona’s roster is not filled with marquee names but Coach Dave Tippett, known for his tight-checking system, has the Coyotes as the talk of the league.

“They’re playing with passion,” Getzlaf said of Arizona. “They’re excited to be on the ice, and we weren’t, and that’s the difference in the game … they had kids that were out there excited to play and we weren’t.”