Discipline costly in Flames’ Game 1 loss to Ducks

ANAHEIM, Calif. The Calgary Flames stressed calm and composure heading into their playoff series against the Anaheim Ducks.

It took only 47 seconds for that resolve to break, the first in a series of critical errors that extended the Flames’ woeful record in Orange County.

Jakob Silfverberg and Ryan Getzlaf each scored a powerplay goal, John Gibson made 30 saves and the Ducks defeated Calgary 3-2 in Game 1 on Thursday night.

Rickard Rakell also scored for the Ducks, handing the Flames their sixth consecutive playoff loss at Honda Center.

“Two power-play goals and a bad change, it’s not like they really earned it that much. We kind of gave it to them,” said Flames goalie Brian Elliott, who made 38 saves. “We clean things up, we’ll take care of business.”

Sean Monahan had a powerplay goal and Sam Bennett scored for Calgary, which has lost three of its last four series openers.

Game 2 is Saturday night in Anaheim.

The Flames spotted the Ducks seven chances on the power play in total, including Hamilton’s retaliatory crosscheck on Geztlaf with 5:49 remaining after the Anaheim captain levelled Mark Giordano to the delight of the sold-out crowd.

But the Flames still had chances to tie the game, including 1:13 of 5-on-3 play in the closing minutes and a dangerous shot from Johnny Gaudreau that a sprawling Gibson was able to stuff with 17.8 seconds remaining.

CAPITALS 3, MAPLE LEAFS 2, OT

WASHINGTON — Toronto native Tom Wilson scored his first NHL playoff goal 5:15 into overtime and the Washington Capitals survived a scare to beat the Maple Leafs on Thursday night in Game 1 of their first-round series.

Mitch Marner and Jake Gardiner scored in the first period for Toronto, back in the playoffs for the first time since 2013.

PREDATORS 1, BLACKHAWKS 0

CHICAGO — Pekka Rinne made 29 saves, Viktor Arvidsson scored in the first period and Nashville beat Chicago in Game 1.