The energy was there for the Ducks. So was the tenacity and engagement they lacked in so many previous games against the Stanley Cup finalist Tampa Bay Lightning.
A victory, or at least a point, was there for the taking, too, when they trailed by one goal in the third period and had three power plays.
But those chances came up empty in a 2-1 loss Wednesday that represented another setback in an uphill search for consistency.
The Ducks were trying to win back-to-back games for the first time since Nov.