Ducks have defensive breakdown

Watson’s hat trick is enough for Predators as Anaheim loses the opener of its trip east.

NASHVILLE — The Ducks opened a 10-day, fivegame trip to the East on Sunday and it looks as if they forgot to pack their defense. At least that’s what it seems like for coach Randy Carlyle.

Right wing Austin Watson scored three goals and Pekka Rinne made 17 saves in a 5-2 win over the Ducks, whose winning streak ended at two games.

“To me, it’s about defense,” Carlyle said. “We can be criticized for lack of offense, but the reality is, we need to be able to hold the opposition to one goal or two goals. That’s the reality of it. Where we’re set up, the way we are with our group right now and the personnel that we have in place, we have to win the 1-0 game or the 2-1 game. Simple as that.”

Former Duck Nick Bonino and Craig Smith also scored for the Predators.

Watson had a difficult time remembering the last time he scored a hat trick — at any level.

“American Hockey League, maybe?” Watson said. “A couple of years now.”

Watson usually spends his time on the third and fourth lines, but moved up to the first and second lines against the Ducks because of an undisclosed injury to center Kyle Turris.

He scored the game’s first goal in the opening period, added his first career power-play goal in the second period and had an empty netter with 1 minute 6 seconds left to seal the victory.

Adam Henrique and Ondrej Kase scored for the Ducks, who take on Tampa Bay on Tuesday night.

“We took numerous penalties and it became a game we shouldn’t have played,” Carlyle said. “I think we took four straight minors and ... it kind of takes everybody out of the game.”