Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom pointed the finger directly at himself after Thursday night's 2-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens.
"I just suck at hockey right now," Markstrom told reporters after the Flames outshot the Canadiens 46-19 -- and still lost.
A Vezina Trophy finalist last season, Markstrom was way out of position when Canadiens rookie Juraj Slafkovsky opened the scoring just 13 seconds in.
Markstrom went well out of his crease to try to play the puck as Sean Monahan skated in, but the sliding goalie gave it right to Slafkovsky, who put it into the empty net.
"I think everybody saw what happened. It's not a good play," Markstrom said.
The Swedish goaltender's numbers are not great this year -- he is 8-5-2 with a 3.03 goals-against average and .889 save percentage.
Last season, Markstrom had a 2.22 GAA and .922 save percentage, leading the Flames to a division title.
"I thought the guys did a great job, but once again I've got to be better," he said of Thursday's loss. "I suck right now. I've got to step up."
Dan Vladar, Calgary's other goalie, has put up better numbers this season (2-4-1, 2.70 GAA, .913 save percentage), albeit in less playing time.
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