What we learned from the Ducks’ 3-2 loss to the Predators in Game 1 of first-round playoffs

The Nashville Predators were the team nobody wanted to face in the playoffs, and they showed why Friday.

Their best players came through in the last 30 minutes of an evenly matched game indicative of a potentially long series.

Here’s what we learned after Game 1 of the Western Conference first-round playoff series:

1. Nashville’s top line could give the Ducks trouble. The Ducks expectedly put their shutdown line of Ryan Kesler, Jakob Silfverberg and Andrew Cogliano against Ryan Johansen, Calle Jarnkrok and James Neal.

Neal was one of Nashville’s best players. He had nine shots and scored 35 seconds into the game. Not surprising for a 31-goal scorer in the regular season.

“I thought we got off to a rough start, and that hasn’t happened often for us. But we got a goal back against them, and I think we just need to be better,” Cogliano said.

“They had a couple of really good looks, that line, and they’re good. They’re good players. But I don’t think our line was forechecking as well as it has been in the past. We need to get back to that because I think it can create energy for the team.”

2. Kevin Bieksa might be pressed into duty for Game 2. The Ducks went down to five defensemen after Josh Manson took a hit from Filip Forsberg late in the first period and left the game with an upper-body injury.

Bieksa was said to be a game-time decision with an upper-body injury and was scratched. The Ducks could use his veteran grit and physicality if Manson is unavailable.

The Ducks, who started six defensemen 25 or younger, also have Korbinian Holzer.

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Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler is checked by Predators winger James Neal during the first period of Game 1.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Predators winger Mike Fisher battles Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf (15) and defenseman Josh Manson for the puck during the first period of Game 1.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Predators right wing James Neal reacts after scoring against Ducks goalie John Gibson and left wing Andrew Cogliano only 35 seconds into the game Friday night.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Ducks center Ryan Kesler sends Predators center Craig Smith to the ice during a scrum in front of the net during Game 1.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Ducks winger Corey Perry knocks Predators winger James Neal off his skates during the second period of Game 1.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf absorbs a hard check from Predators forward Paul Gaustad during the second period.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf mixes it up with Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm seconds after a 3-2 loss to Nashville in Game 1 of their playoff series.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Ducks and Predators players try to fight seconds after the conclusion of Game 1 on Friday night.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

3. There’s not much separation between the teams. Nashville did an excellent job clogging the neutral zone and denying entries to the Ducks. But Anaheim was able to find time and space once it did break down that barrier.

It’s an interesting dynamic to chew on going into Game 2 on Sunday.

“To get off to the right start is a good thing,” Nashville Coach Peter Laviolette said. “[But] there’s so much hockey left to be played.”