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What we learned from the Ducks’ 3-2 loss to the Predators in Game 2

Ducks right wing Corey Perry (10) passes the puck between the legs of Predators right wing Craig Smith during a first-round playoff game at Honda Center on April 17.

Ducks right wing Corey Perry (10) passes the puck between the legs of Predators right wing Craig Smith during a first-round playoff game at Honda Center on April 17.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Physicality? Check. Energy? Check.

A win? Nope.

Down 2-0 in their first-round playoff series to the Nashville Predators, the Ducks are frustrated and, by their own admission, ill-prepared.

Their aggressiveness took them out of their game in a 3-2 loss Sunday, and they must correct their discipline and defense to climb out of this hole.

Here’s what we learned:

The Ducks’ lack of discipline is dumbfounding. Coach Bruce Boudreau put it best when he said, “We were just stupid out there.”

Corey Perry took hooking and interference penalties in the opening 10 minutes. Ryan Garbutt took an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, and David Perron an interference infraction.

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Defenseman Hampus Lindholm was blunt.

“I think it’s them getting under our skin and outworking us, and us just not being ready and prepared,” he said. “You’re never going to win championships and playoff games if you sit in the box all night.

“If they come on a two-on-one and you hook them down and you save a goal, that’s a penalty that we accept. But slashings and being stupid -- you can’t do that in the playoffs, and it hurt us tonight.”

Corey Perry had a forgettable game. In addition to his penalties, Perry did not have a shot on goal in nearly 20 minutes. Boudreau also called him out on Craig Smith’s goal, off a feed from behind the goal line from Filip Forsberg.

“Our right winger could’ve come in and taken him,” Boudreau said. “That’s his job.”

Roman Josi is as good as advertised. Perhaps overshadowed by defensive partner Shea Weber, Josi has been outstanding for Nashville. He has three assists, five blocked shots and six hits in two games.

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