DENVER — The Avalanche are still looking for answers.
Colorado's struggles in the early part of the season continued Monday night in a 6-2 defeat to the New York Islanders at Ball Arena.
The Avs have now given up 20 goals and come away with zero wins in their first three games, starting the 2024-25 campaign in a hole.
Atop the list of problems is the team's defensive effort that has led to deficient goaltending. Starting goaltender Alexandar Georgiev had another disappointing performance between the pipes with a .865 save percentage that included allowing five goals, bringing his season total to 13.
"It's tough. Just try not to think of all three games at once," Georgiev told 9NEWS at his locker after the game. "We need to get the first (win) and everybody feel 100 pounds lighter."
Colorado scored first Monday night when 19-year-old center Calum Ritchie, the team's first-round 2023 draft pick, scored the first goal of his NHL career on an assist from Josh Manson.
From there, New York scored four unanswered goals extending into the second intermission to take control of the game.
"I didn't like our game tonight — top to bottom. It was terrible," head coach Jared Bednar said. "I would have bet money that we were going to be really good tonight...I can't really explain it at this point."
A bright spot for Colorado was center Casey Mittelstadt, who scored his third goal of the season in the third period on assists from Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar.
Mittelstadt now has a goal in each of the Avalanche's three games.
Colorado won't have much time to dwell on the loss before hosting the Boston Bruins (2-2) on Wednesday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (MT).
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