The Vegas Golden Knights’ habit of falling behind early finally caught up to them again Sunday night, as a 4-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center extended their losing streak to five games. The Knights dropped to 25-16-14, losing for the seventh time in their last eight contests.

Anaheim jumped out to a 3-0 lead early in the second period, with Chris Kreider scoring two goals in typical net-front fashion. Kreider deflected a puck in the crease at 13:21 of the first period to open the scoring, then tipped another shot past a screened Adin Hill just 1:10 into the second. Cutter Gauthier added a power-play goal at 3:22 of the second to make it 3-0.

Mitch Marner got the Knights on the board at 9:47 of the second period, and Ivan Barbashev cut the deficit to 3-2 at 10:40 of the third. Both players have now scored in three straight games. The comeback bid stalled when Ducks center Ryan Poehling scored into an empty net with 1:07 remaining. Tomas Hertl added a meaningless goal with five seconds left.

Adin Hill made 19 saves in the loss. The Knights have now trailed by three goals in four of their last seven games, rallying to make it close in three of those but failing to complete the comeback.

Vegas remains in first place in the Pacific Division, but the gap has shrunk to just six points separating first from sixth with two games left before the Winter Olympics break.

Knights left wing Jonas Rondbjerg left the game in the second period after a hit by Anaheim captain Radko Gudas and did not return.