What we learned from the Ducks’ 4-0 win over the Canucks

No overtime dramatics unfolded this time for the Ducks. Instead, Jakob Silfverberg broke through and their defense was solid in a thorough 4-0 win against Vancouver on Monday.

Ryan Kesler called it a “sloppy” game, but he’ll gladly take it after a crushing 3-2 overtime loss to Chicago last Friday that dropped the Ducks to 0-4 in overtime games this season.

Here’s what we learned:

The Ducks can play a 60-minute game. Almost all facets worked for the Ducks. Their defense didn’t allow Vancouver to make a push and their NHL-best penalty-killing unit allowed two shots in killing a four-minute high-sticking major by Chris Stewart in the third period.

That kind of protection in front of goalie John Gibson, who got his second career shutout against the Canucks, makes the Ducks difficult to beat, especially when they offer the goal support so lacking this season.

“We played a full 60 tonight rather than 58,” Kesler said. “Saying that, we still got a point [against Chicago]. Even though it was disappointing, I thought we regrouped well.”

Silfverberg is no longer snakebitten. He scored his first significant goal this season because his only other one came on an empty net.

Silfverberg had a slow start last season, too, and finished with 13 goals. The Ducks know he’s capable of much more.

“I like seeing those shots from him,” Kesler said. “I had a front-row seat for that one. He’s a special player, and he’s important for this team.”

Nick Ritchie is taking steps. The rookie is still searching for his first NHL goal. He had a prime chance on a backhand early in the game, but got his first NHL point with a chip pass to Silfverberg.

More important is that Ritchie is getting comfortable in a checking role that Boudreau has him in with Kesler and Silfverberg. Ritchie, the 10th pick of the 2014 draft, has the size at 6-foot-2, 232 pounds. He is four days shy of his 20th birthday.

“He’s finishing all his checks all the time,” Boudreau said. “I think he’s defensively responsible. He has the odd mistake here and there. But I think he’s done a really good job for a 19-year-old kid.”

Follow Curtis Zupke on Twitter @CurtisZupke