Nathan MacKinnon doesn’t mince words.

“It’s embarrassing,” the Avalanche center said Thursday morning. “Even like waving at the security people around the rink, it’s like … I’m sure they’re disappointed in us, being in last. I don’t think it’s how anybody is 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.”

The Avalanche has lost four in a row heading into the Thursday night game against Toronto at the Pepsi Center. Colorado hasn’t won since beating the Maple Leafs on the road Dec. 11, when Semyon Varlamov had 51 saves in a 3-1 victory. The Avalanche also has a seven-game home winless streak and is 11-19-1 overall. Related Articles Lightning beat Stars 3-2 in Game 2, get even in Stanley Cup

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“It wears on you,” MacKinnon said. “I’d by lying if I said it didn’t. We’re very thankful to play this game and we’re lucky and fortunate. But when you lose this much, it’s a horrible feeling, whether you’re in bantam or the NHL. It’s the same thing, honestly it is. Our whole lives have been about winning games and making the playoffs and winning. Whether you’re in pee wee or the NHL, you just want to do well and we’re not.

“We need to have a good game tonight, that’s all we can really focus on.”

The Avalanche faces Chicago on the road Friday before the three-day NHL holiday break.

Thursday night will be the first NHL appearance in Denver for Auston Matthews, the native of the Phoenix area who was the NHL’s No. 1 overall pick this year — three years after MacKinnon went in that slot to the Avalanche. Matthews has 15 goals this season, MacKinnon has eight, both in 31 games.

“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.”

Varlamov again will be in the Colorado net against the Maple Leafs. Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said he hadn’t yet decided whether Varlamov would also play against Chicago, or whether Calvin Pickard would get the start.