The Colorado Avalanche suffered a humbling 7-3 defeat at the hands of the Nashville Predators on Friday night, marking their first regulation loss at home this season. The Predators' victory snapped the Avalanche's impressive 22-game home point streak. Here are three key takeaways from the game:

1. Ryan O'Reilly's Dominance Against His Former Team:

Ryan O'Reilly, playing against the team where he began his NHL career, had a spectacular performance. He recorded his seventh career hat trick and added an assist, totaling four points. O'Reilly kick-started the scoring just 30 seconds into the game and continued to be a force throughout, with his second goal deflecting off Avalanche defenseman Sam Girard. His strong net-front presence caused problems for Colorado all night. This was O'Reilly's first hat trick since January 4, 2025, against Calgary.

2. Defensive Lapses and Poor Net-Front Coverage:

The Avalanche's defensive play, particularly in front of their own net, was a major weakness. The Predators consistently won battles in this critical area, leading to scoring opportunities. O'Reilly's first goal exemplified this, as he cut behind a defender and had a clear path to score on goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood. The Avalanche struggled to contain Nashville's forwards around the crease, contributing significantly to the lopsided score.

3. Brock Nelson's Offensive Spark Not Enough:

Brock Nelson continued his impressive scoring streak, netting two goals for the Avalanche. Nelson has been on a tear, with 14 goals in his last 16 games. He singlehandedly kept the Avalanche within striking distance for a portion of the game. Nelson's first goal came quickly after O'Reilly's opener, and his second tied the game later in the first period. Despite Nelson's efforts, the Avalanche couldn't overcome their defensive struggles and Nashville's offensive surge.

Goaltender Juuse Saros was also a key factor in the Predators' win, making 39 saves on 42 shots. Filip Forsberg contributed a goal and two assists for Nashville. Martin Necas scored the Avalanche's other goal. After Necas's goal early in the third period cut the deficit to 4-3, the Predators responded with three unanswered goals, including empty-netters from Steven Stamkos and Michael McCarron, to seal the victory. The Avalanche will look to rebound against the Washington Capitals on Monday. Meanwhile, the Predators will face the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night.