ANAHEIM DUCKS lost 3-1 to the Nashville Predators Saturday at Honda Center. They now trail 3-2 in the Western Conference finals.

The Anaheim Ducks now have their backs to the walls … or boards … as they lost Game Five of the Western Conference finals 3-1 Saturday night at the Honda Center to the Nashville Predators. The series returns to Tennessee on Monday with the Preds leading 3-2 and in position to close out the series with a win.

“I didn’t think our compete level was where it needed to be,” Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf said. “They came out and worked harder than us in the second and third periods, and that was the difference in the hockey game.”

The Ducks went ahead 1-0 at 12:46 of the second period on a goal by Chris Wagner, but the Preds got the equalizer at 19:19 on a tally by Colin Wilson. What proved to be the winning score came at 11:01 of the third period by Pontus Aberg. The game’s final goal came as Austin Watson let the red lamp on an empty goal at 19:12 of the period as the Ducks pulled the goalie to get another attacker in the closing minutes.

Jonathan Bernier had 16 saves for the home team and John Gibson 10.

If the Ducks win in Nashville on Monday, the series comes back to Anaheim on Wednesday.

METS OUTLAST THE ANGELS, 7-5

A late rally fell short Saturday night as the Los Angeles Angels fell 7-5 to the New York Mets at Citi Field. Trailing 7-2, the Halos scored three runs in the top of the ninth, but still fell short.

Three of the Mets’ seven runs were unearned as the Orange County team committed a pair of errors and the pitchers walked six batters and hit one more.

The loss dropped the Angels again under .500 at 22-23, third in the American League West.

Top hitters for the Angels were Andrelton Simmons (two hits and a walk), Cameron Maybin (a single and two walks) and Mike Trout (a single and two walks).

Starter Alex Meyer (2-2) lasted just four innings, giving up three hits and four runs (three earned). He struck out seven batters but walked four.

The series will finish on Sunday with Jesse Chavez (3-5) making the start for the Angels. On Monday the Halos travel to Florida to start a four-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays.