The Anaheim Ducks handed the Vegas Golden Knights a golden opportunity in Game 3—and the Knights didn't waste it. A disastrous first period saw Anaheim surrender a goal on the first shot, a shorthanded tally, and a power-play strike, digging a hole too deep to climb out of in a 6-2 loss at Honda Center. The series now stands at 2-1 in favor of Vegas, but for Ducks fans, the sting comes from how much of the damage was self-inflicted.

Goalie Lukáš Dostál, fresh off a near-shutout performance in Game 2 where he stopped 21 of 22 shots, had a night to forget. For the third time in nine playoff games—and the 13th time this season—he allowed a goal on the first shot of the game. He was pulled after the opening period, a tough turn for a netminder who had been Anaheim's rock just 48 hours earlier. "It's still one win in the series," Dostál said, keeping perspective. "I always say it doesn't matter how you win or what the score is."

But the numbers tell a harsher story. Anaheim's power play, which converted at a blistering 50% in the first round, has gone ice-cold, now 0-for-11 in the series. Meanwhile, Vegas star Mitch Marner lit the lamp for a hat trick, taking the playoff lead in both goals and points. The Knights played their best hockey of the series, and the Ducks had no answer.

Coach Joel Quenneville didn't mince words when asked if his team came in too comfortable after controlling the first two games. "I think that there's a lesson to take out of today's game, and it's only gonna get harder every single game," he said. "Not gonna get any easier. So let's get ready to go to war."

Defenseman Jackson LaCombe echoed the sentiment, pointing to a lack of grit. "I think they just outbattled us," he said. "They won more puck battles than we did. They played physical. We've got to be better next game."

The Ducks will get their chance to respond in Game 4 on Sunday, still at Honda Center. But after a night where every line, every unit, and every position group had something go wrong, the message is clear: this series is far from over, but Anaheim needs to bring its A-game—or risk watching Vegas take control for good.