The Nashville Predators' franchise-record point streak has reversed course into a two-game losing streak.

On Saturday — two days after losing 8-4 to the Arizona Coyotes, their first regulation loss in 18 games — the Predators lost 7-4 to Colorado at Ball Arena in Denver.

Similar to Thursday, the Predators (43-27-4) had a two-goal lead early against the Avalanche (47-21-6), but the game quickly changed after a crucial match penalty to Ryan McDonagh early in the second period.

Ryan McDonagh's match penalty changed game against Avalanche

With 3:11 gone in the second period, Predators defenseman Ryan McDonagh threw a shoulder check into Avalanche forward Ross Colton as he was trying to exit the Colorado zone.

McDonagh's hit landed high on Colton and he was initially called for a five-minute major penalty. The referees reviewed the hit and assessed McDonagh a match penalty for an illegal check to the head.

The Predators had to kill off a five-minute major — the Avalanche managed one goal during the power play, scored by Artturi Lehkonen — but the real issue was having to play without McDonagh the rest of the game.

With the Predators down to just five defensemen — and being without one of their best shot blockers in McDonagh — the game changed dramatically.

The Avalanche would score four more goals, turning a 4-3 deficit into a 7-4 lead. Without McDonagh to stabilize the back end, Colorado began picking apart the Nashville defense, eventually pulling away on two goals by Nathan MacKinnon in the third period.

While the Predators were bound to have their luck turn at some point, the way in which the past two losses have materialized is somewhat concerning. Defensive chaos and shaky goaltending is not what Predators fans want to see as the team heads toward the playoffs.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: How a match penalty sent Nashville Predators into second straight loss