Makar takes blame for 'stupid, childish mistakes' in loss to Islanders

Monday wasn't a banner night for the core of the Colorado Avalanche, as Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Cale Makar were all on the ice for four goals against in the team's 6-2 loss to the New York Islanders.

Makar took responsibility for the defeat, saying postgame: "Three of their six goals, four of their six goals, directly my fault," per The Denver Gazette's Evan Rawal.

"Some really stupid, childish mistakes."

Makar had multiple turnovers in the contest, including a costly giveaway that resulted in a short-handed goal for the Islanders.

He also lost track of his man on the next goal.

The Avalanche are counting on their core players to be difference-makers with absences across the lineup. The club was without Makar's defense partner Devon Toews and top-six winger Jonathan Drouin on Monday, and it continues to be without key forwards Gabriel Landeskog, Valeri Nichushkin, and Artturi Lehkonen to open the campaign.

Head coach Jared Bednar said that "there's no excuses" for the poor showing despite the injuries. He also opted to call out the entire team instead of his top players' performances.

"I didn't like our game tonight, top to bottom. It was terrible," Bednar said. "It is surprising because I would've bet money that we were gonna be really good tonight."

He added: "I can't really explain it at this point."

The Avalanche are in a 0-3-0 hole to begin the season. They'll get a chance to bounce back Wednesday against the Boston Bruins.