What we learned from the Ducks’ 3-2 loss to the Canucks

On paper, the two points were there for the taking.

The Ducks played their seventh straight game against a non-playoff Canadian team that was auditioning young players for next season. They had a lead with fewer than 12 minutes remaining before they cratered in a 3-2 loss to Vancouver.

Here’s what we learned:

The Ducks aren’t exactly fine-tuning for the playoffs. Anaheim, already banged up, announced a host of injuries and ailments earlier Friday, with goalie Frederik Andersen out with a concussion and center Rickard Rakell recovering from an appendectomy.

It’s also a unique challenge to play lower-tier teams in games that might take the Ducks out of their structure, but “it shouldn’t,” Nate Thompson said.

“It doesn’t matter. Every team is in the NHL for a reason. … They had a big win [Thursday] against a good San Jose team. They came in ready tonight, and we weren’t.”

Bring on the Dallas Stars? Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau offered a blunt assessment of his team, although it has gone 5-2-1 in its past eight games.

“We haven’t played a 60-minute game in a while,” Boudreau said.

Sunday brings Central Division-leading Dallas.

“We’ll either be an eye-opener, or we’ll rise to the occasion,” Boudreau said. “One of the two.”

David Perron is hopeful. Perron said his goal is to beat the four- to six-week recovery expected from the time of his March 20 shoulder separation. That would place the left wing’s availability around the first round of the playoffs, but he sees the bigger picture.

“I think we have to be smart here too, and [I’m] hoping that we go all the way here with a long run,” Perron said.

Perron’s right skate got stuck as he went to check Mark Scheifele of Winnipeg. He was able to turn away and avoid impact to his head, but he knew it was serious.

“It’s funny how much you can think in so little time,” he said. “I was trying to say I was good to go back [in the game]. They said, ‘Try and take your shoulder pads off,’ and I couldn’t really do that.”

Follow Curtis Zupke on Twitter @CurtisZupke