What we learned from the Ducks’ 4-1 victory over the Sabres

It’s the “it” factor that transforms a team on its season journey from infancy into something head-turning.

It, for the Ducks, is Corey Perry being able to say that through seven games -- six of them victories -- he already has two hat tricks.

The former 50-goal scorer and 2011 Hart Trophy-winning right wing is tied for the NHL lead with Rick Nash of the New York Rangers with eight goals.

In Wednesday’s 4-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres at Honda Center, Perry streaked down ice in the first period to accept a Ryan Getzlaf pass that he throttled by Sabres goalie Michal Neuvirth. He then launched a deep shot for a 3-1 lead with 2:43 remaining in the game, tacking on an empty-net goal he banked off the boards on the Ducks’ end.

“I don’t score too often from there,” Perry joked. “I’m shooting the puck and good things are happening.”

Starting with victories.

Takeaway No. 1: Facts related to Perry’s torrid start:

When he scored 50 goals in the 2010-11 season, his eighth goal didn’t come until the 19th game.

Elias Sports Bureau reported that Perry is the first player since 2003 and sixth since 1985 to have two hat tricks in his team’s first seven games.

The others are Ilya Kovalchuk (2003), Brian Savage (1999), Mario Lemieux (1988), Glenn Anderson (1987), Charlie Simmer (1985).

Perry said the team’s boosted depth, with the off-season acquisition Ryan Kesler on the second line, is contributing to his success.

“We’re not [always] playing against the top line,” Perry said. “When you have depth and scoring on all four lines that you can roll over each and every night, you’re going to pin some teams in and really go after them.”

Takeaway No. 2: Don’t get too high on the Ducks just yet. Stiffer tests await, starting with a Sunday home showdown against rival San Jose, followed by a road trip to Chicago, St. Louis, Dallas and Colorado -- that’s five straight games against 2013-14 playoff teams.

“It’s huge to get points early in the season,” Perry said. “When you’re stringing wins together -- sometimes we haven’t played our best hockey -- it’s huge finding ways to win.”

Takeaway No. 3: Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen keeps starting and winning.

By improving to 6-0, Andersen was just 5:06 away from a second consecutive shutout before Buffalo center Tyler Ennis scored to snap the goalie’s scoreless streak of 152 minutes and 46 seconds.

“We had [more] chances, we just didn’t bury them,” Buffalo Coach Ted Nolan said. “We didn’t bury them for a reason: Their goaltender made some good saves.”

Andersen has limited four of his past five opponents to one goal or less.

“Feeling good about myself, playing simple,” Andersen said, calmly nodding that he’s never been more confident. “I don’t assume anything [about the starts continuing until he loses]. It’s not about me, it’s about the team. Whoever’s ready to play gets the nod, and I’m happy if it’s me.”

Takeaway No. 4: Due to Perry’s theatrics, Getzlaf’s NHL-best eight assists and co-leading 10 points, along with Kesler’s third goal on Wednesday, were footnotes -- a testament to Anaheim’s talent.

The Ducks took a 1-0 lead on a patented Getzlaf-to-Perry “I know where you’re going” goal, as the center fed his line-mate up ice. It became 3-1 when Getzlaf found Perry open for a deep blast.

Kesler won 12 of 18 faceoffs Wednesday and made it 2-0 by rifling a second-period shot to Neuvirth’s right.

Six points through seven games is precisely the type of start the Ducks wanted from Kesler.

Eight goals in the same span from Perry ... .

Who imagined that?