Last-period letdown hurts against Ducks

The continuing education of the Kings added another lesson, and it was painfully obvious at the time and in the aftermath of Thursday’s 6-3 loss to the Ducks:

How Not to Play a Third Period.

“The third period they started to show why they’re a Stanley Cup team,” Kings defenseman Rob Blake said. “I don’t think they really made any adjustments. They more or less stayed with what they do. Everyone knows how they play.

“I don’t think they varied.”

The crux of the matter was that the Kings’ level dropped precipitously in the third. “And that’s what got us in trouble,” Blake said.

He noted the separation starting to occur in the Pacific Division.

“You see Anaheim, and San Jose taking off,” he said. “It’s up to us to stick with the pack.”

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The view from the sideline offered a different perspective for defenseman Tom Preissing, who was a healthy scratch against Dallas and returned to the lineup for the home-and-home series against the Ducks.

“I’ve been overthinking the game,” Preissing said. “Which happens when your confidence isn’t where it should be.”

He did notice a difference away from ice level.

“I have more time on plays than I think I do,” Preissing said. “You’ll see there’s a bit more time available.”

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Kings Coach Marc Crawford said forward Kyle Calder, whose broken left thumb was re-evaluated Thursday, has not been cleared for contact and would not accompany the team on its two-game trip to Dallas and Phoenix next week.

Calder suffered a broken thumb against Columbus on Oct. 31 and required surgery the next day.

Enforcer Raitis Ivanans had facial surgery on Tuesday and Crawford said he was expected to be able to resume skating on Sunday.

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The mentor-teacher relationship between Blake and rookie Jack Johnson will continue, but Johnson, who has been living with Blake and his family, has found a two-bedroom home in the South Bay.

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TODAY

vs. Phoenix, 1 p.m., FSN Prime

Radio -- 1150.

Site -- Staples Center.

Records -- Kings 8-9-1, Coyotes 7-10.

Record vs. Coyotes (2006-07) -- 4-4.

Update -- Wins? These days, the Coyotes will take the modest step of scoring a goal or two. They lost, 6-0, to the Sharks on Thursday, and through a quirk in the schedule, played San Jose three consecutive games, losing all three by a combined score of 15-1.

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lisa.dillman@latimes.com