What we learned from Ducks’ 4-2 win over Canucks in home opener

Some of the pieces are still missing but the ones that are here fit nicely Sunday. After a season-opening five-game trip, the Ducks got a 4-2 win Sunday against the Vancouver Canucks to open an extended stay in California.

Here’s what we learned:

Cam Fowler might be too valuable to lose

Fowler has been the subject of trade rumors since last season, with the Ducks trying to re-sign Hampus Lindholm. He’s playing as if he doesn’t want to leave with a team co-leading three goals in six games. Fowler also leads Anaheim in ice time.

“I’ve always felt that I can contribute in the offensive end,” Fowler said. “I worked really hard this summer on my offensive game and getting shots through to the net … it’s nice to see a few go in early. That’s always helps with your confidence a little bit.”

Randy Carlyle has some tough decisions

It was difficult for the Ducks coach to sit defenseman Korbinian Holzer. Holzer delivered a pretty game-winning assist Thursday, after he survived a nasty hit to his nose, but Carlyle needed Shea Theodore’s power-play ability Sunday.

“As long as those players don’t get discouraged, because their contributions have been well noted, and there’s a lot of gratitude that goes there,” Carlyle said. “It’s just that in certain situations, you can’t play everybody. Tonight, I thought our workman-like attitude is something we can take and carry forward.”

They all count as [highlight] goals

The oft-told joke is that it doesn’t matter how the puck goes in, because years later they’ll get re-told as highlight goals.

That was probably the case with Corey Perry’s goal. He lost the puck as he broke in on goalie Ryan Miller and it still slipped between Miller’s pads.

“They’re all snipes in this league,” Ryan Getzlaf said. “You saw Perry’s [goal].”