The Vegas Golden Knights learned a tough lesson in Game 2: in hockey, as in life, missed opportunities can be costly. Falling 3-1 to the Anaheim Ducks at T-Mobile Arena on Wednesday night, the Knights found scoring as elusive as a jackpot on a slot machine—and defensive lapses proved to be their undoing.

The first period was a scoreless battle, but not for lack of drama. The Golden Knights dug themselves an early hole with four consecutive penalties, including a double-minor to star center Jack Eichel. Yet, their penalty kill unit stood tall, stifling Anaheim’s power play—which had been clicking at 50% in the first round—to an 0-for-4 mark, including a flawless shutdown during a 5-on-3 advantage. It was a defensive masterclass that kept the game tied, but it came at a cost: the Knights went over 12 minutes without a shot, managing just four in the period compared to Anaheim’s 13.

That shot disparity lit a fire under the Golden Knights in the second period. They came out flying, recording three shots in the first minute and outshooting the Ducks 11-7 in the frame. But despite the increased pressure, Anaheim goaltender Lukas Dostal was a brick wall, turning aside chance after chance. The real dagger, however, came from two missed defensive assignments that led directly to Anaheim goals—a reminder that even the best offensive push can’t overcome a lapse in focus.

For a team known for its resilience, this loss is a wake-up call. The Golden Knights’ power play, which had been nearly perfect in the playoffs, went 0-for-5, and their inability to capitalize on opportunities mirrored the night’s theme: close, but not close enough. As the series shifts to Anaheim, the Knights will need to tighten up defensively and find a way to solve Dostal—or risk letting this missed opportunity define their postseason.