Gabriel Landeskog highlights: Avalanche captain returns vs. Stars – USA Today

Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog’s years of rehab of his serious knee injury paid off Wednesday night when he suited up for his first NHL game since his team won the 2022 Stanley Cup championship.
He was cheered when he took the ice for warmups, cheered even more when coach Jared Bednar put him on the top line for the opening faceoff and made an impact early with a big hit on the Dallas Stars‘ Mikko Rantanen.
“I found myself thinking about this moment a lot over the last three years and now that it’s here, it’s reversed,” Landeskog, who needed a cartilage transplant in 2023, told Altitude Sports before the game. “I’m thinking about kind of the hard work that’s gone into it, some of the ups, a lot of the downs, sacrifice and support I’ve had along the way.”
But in the end, the Stars spoiled his return when Tyler Seguin scored in overtime for a 2-1 victory and a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference series.
USA TODAY provided updates on Gabriel Landeskog’s return in Game 3 of the Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars series. Here are the highlights:
Dallas now has a 2-1 lead in the series, even though its only lead, outside of the overtime winners, has been for 62 seconds in Game 2. Game 4 will be Saturday in Denver.
He finishes with 18 shifts, 13:16 of ice time, six hits, no shots and one blocked shot.
Mason Marchment, who took the double minor late in the third, makes a great pass to Tyler Seguin for the game-winner at 5:31 of the first overtime. Mikko Rantanen started the play by fighting off an Avalanche defender to get the puck out of the zone and banks it to Marchment. He picks up his first point of the series. That’s back-to-back overtime wins for Dallas and a 2-1 series lead.
Esa Lindell blocks a shot with an open net after the penalty ends.
Colin Blackwell, who scored in overtime of Game 2, gets a shorthanded chance, but Mackenzie Blackwood stops him.
Colorado on the power play to start. Landeskog out with the second unit.
He had four shifts in the third period and 16 total for 11:38 of ice time. No shots yet but he’s up to six hits for the game. Considering he hadn’t played in nearly three years, it will be interesting to see how much he plays in overtime.
Dallas breaks through on a Jamie Benn goal on the power play with Nathan MacKinnon in the penalty box. Colorado outshoots the Stars 12-7 in the period and it’s tied at 25 for the game. Colorado will have more than three minutes of power play to start overtime.
Mason Marchment is assessed a double minor for high-sticking Brock Nelson, who has a big cut on the nose. Only 40 seconds left in the third period and Dallas escapes the period. The penalty will carry into overtime.
There’s a flurry in front of the net but Jake Oettinger keeps it out.
Matt Duchene is called for tripping. First unit is out there. Dallas kills off the penalty.
Colorado kills off the Arturri Lehkonen penalty, then Nathan MacKinnon is called for interference. This time, Dallas strikes quickly. Jamie Benn deflects in a pass from Thomas Harley 10 seconds into the power play. It’s Benn’s first goal in 19 games. Avalanche 1, Stars 1
Artturi Lehkonen is called for holding Thomas Harley.
Score remains 1-0 Colorado.
Landeskog has 12 shifts for 8:11 in ice time and five hits. He has made some strong defensive plays and set up a couple scoring chances that didn’t connect.
There’s a flurry at the end as Nathan MacKinnon splits the defense and his shot is stopped by Jake Oettinger. Mikael Granlund hits the post at the other end on a breakaway.
He makes two solid defensive plays against the Stars then sets up a good Avalanche scoring chance.
The Avalanche coach tells ESPN that Landeskog is skating well and is involved. “He’s making an impact in the game right away and he’s only going to get better,” he said.
He gets hit hard into the boards by Joel Kiviranta and is later hit by a shot in the midsection. He’s down for a minute then leaves the ice.
Dallas called for too many men on the ice. Landeskog jumps on the ice with the second unit. Stars kill it off. No shots.
Avalanche lead 1-0.
He skated five shifts for 4:10 of ice time. No shots. Three hits, including one that knocked over Mikko Rantanen. The winger even won a faceoff when called upon.
The Stars controlled a lot of the period, outshooting Colorado 13-5. But Dallas makes a coverage mistake against Valeri Nichushkin, who scored the lone goal .
Dallas’ Colin Blackwell, the Game 2 hero, is called for tripping. Stars kill it off. First unit spends most of the time out so no Landeskog.
Landeskog leads a rush up ice. Avalanche get a few looks at the net but don’t connect.
What a stickhandling display by Valeri Nichushkin on a 4-on-4. He skates around the offensive zone, loses defenders and beats Jake Oettinger on a breakaway at 8:09 of the first period. Avalanche 1, Stars 0
During the first TV timeout, a video appeared on the video screen detailing Landeskog’s comeback journey.
Jonathan Drouin moves onto the Nathan MacKinnon line. Landeskog playing on the third line with Charlie Coyle and Joel Kiviranta.
Landeskog knocks down Dallas’ Mikko Rantanen, his former teammate.
Landeskog is out on the ice to start the game. He’s playing with Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas. Big cheer from the crowd when his name is announced.
Gabriel Landesklog last played on June 26, 2022 during Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. It has been 1,032 days since he last suited up for an NHL game.
The Avalanche posted this message from Gabriel Landeskog before Game 3:
He has returned from a chronic injury to his knee that kept him out since 2022. He had cartilage transplant surgery in 2023.
Landeskog plays left wing.
Landeskog had a recent two-game conditioning assignment in the American Hockey League. He was activated from the injured list on Monday and took part in warmups before Game 2, but Miles Wood was inserted in the lineup instead.
Landeskog likely will play on the third line.
The series is tied 1-1.
The game is scheduled to start at 9:30 p.m. ET Wednesday at Denver’s Ball Arena. ESPN is broadcasting the game. Streaming is available on Fubo.
Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane is scheduled to make his season debut Wednesday night in Game 2 against the Los Angeles Kings.
He had abdominal surgery in the offseason plus knee surgery in January.

source