Life hasn't been very sweet for the Avalanche since late November, when they began a 2-10-1 stretch that doesn't seem to have an end in sight.
Colorado takes that slump, along with a four-game losing streak, into the Pepsi Center on Thursday to face the Toronto Maple Leafs and a slew of talented young players led by Auston Matthews.
Here are the GAME NOTES.
The Avalanche (11-19-1) are 0-6-1 in the past seven home games, 4-10-1 at home this season. It's one reason they have the worst record in the NHL.
"It's embarrassing, everything about it sucks," center Nathan MacKinnon said Thursday morning. "Even waving at the security people around the rink, I’m sure they’re disappointed in us, being in last. I don’t think it’s how anybody is in here, just collecting a paycheck and feeling good about themselves.
"It’s definitely gloomy, but we’re trying to stay positive. It’s tough when you’re in 30th, but we’re trying to focus on tonight and having a good game. It wears on you, I'd be lying if I said it didn't. We're very thankful to play this game, but when you lose this much it's a horrible feeling."
The Avalanche average 2.1 goals per game, which is last in the league. They allow 3.16 per game, also last. Coach Jared Bednar said the team's poor power play of late has affected the overall offense. They're 1-for-17 in the past four games.
"Getting set up and getting into the zone has been a problem," Bednar said. "It feels like we're working too slowly. We have to get some pucks to the net and get dirty there, and 5-on-5 is no different.
"The way we're struggling offensively 5-on-5, we need (the power play) to be real good every night, and that's what we're trying to drive out of our group. I feel like when we don't have success on the power play, our team gets a little more frustrated.
"I think too many times we're forcing plays, looking for the perfect play, the pretty play," Bednar added. "And lots of times when it comes down to it, our best chances are coming from just throwing pucks to the net, getting some bodies to the net. We have to find a way to do that more often."
Semyon Varlamov will start in goal. He made 51 saves in a 3-1 road win in Toronto on Dec. 11.
Frederik Andersen will be in net for the Leafs (12-12-7), who are 1-2-2 in the past five games and 2-4-3 in the past nine overall.
Matthews, the first pick in the 2016 NHL draft, has nine goals and two assists in the past 12 games. He's second among league rookies with 24 points (15 goals, nine assists).
“He’s awesome,… MacKinnon said. “It seems like he’s fitting really well with the young group of skilled players they have. It’s a lot of fun to watch and I see him on TV and stuff. Even when we played them, they were buzzing.…