DENVER – A moment Gabriel Landeskog had visualized countless times finally materialized when he made his return to the Colorado Avalanche lineup on Wednesday night. The team captain had been diligently working his way back to this point, and the cheers from the crowd signaled that he was indeed back in full form.
Starting the game with a bang, Landeskog delivered a resounding check that demonstrated he was up to the NHL’s intense pace after nearly three years away from the ice. Unfortunately, the end result wasn’t quite the fairy tale he had imagined.
Tyler Seguin scored just over five minutes into overtime, leading the Dallas Stars to a 2-1 victory over Colorado in Game 3, dampening the triumphant mood of Landeskog’s return. With this loss, Colorado is now trailing 2-1 in their first-round playoff series, with Game 4 scheduled for Saturday night in Denver.
“As a team, we have work to do, and that’s exactly what we’ll focus on,” Landeskog acknowledged. “Still, being back felt great across all aspects tonight. It was a very special occasion, irrespective of the outcome, and I’m eager for Saturday’s game already.”
In Landeskog’s memorable return, he skated alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas. During his 13 minutes on ice, he managed to lead the Avalanche with six hits, the first of which left a lasting impression on Stars forward and old friend Mikko Rantanen.
The emotional build-up to his comeback was profound for Landeskog. The ovation from the Avalanche fans and the chants of “Landy, Landy, Landy” resonated throughout the arena, with signs of “So proud of you Daddy!” held by his children tugging at his heartstrings.
“Seeing my family’s beaming smiles during the warmup almost made me lose my composure,” Landeskog shared, reflecting on how his children must have perceived his absence. “They were 1 and 2 when I last played, and now they’re 5 and 4. They’re growing so fast, and with another child on the way, it’s incredible to think about how much time has passed. It truly is special.”
To honor his comeback, the team presented a video tribute, prompting Landeskog to tap his heart in gratitude. His appearance marked his first time in an NHL game since June 26, 2022, when he helped the Avalanche secure the Stanley Cup against Tampa Bay. A chronic knee injury had kept him away for those 1,032 days.
Landeskog became only the fifth player in NHL history to return after an absence of over 1,000 days, as recorded for those with at least 700 games in their careers. The last to do so was Avalanche legend and Hall of Famer Peter Forsberg.
The captain’s presence provided a palpable boost to spirits on the ice and among the fans, who frequently sported his No. 92 during the game. The arena’s energy was electric until the resulting silence of the defeat.
“Everyone is rooting for him; it’s a great comeback story,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “I trust Gabe’s preparation and what I’m witnessing firsthand. He feels great about where he is, and so do we.”
Landeskog’s injury woes trace back to the 2020 “bubble” season when a collision in a playoff game with Dallas left him with a knee injury with teammate Cale Makar’s skate leaving a mark. Following a cartilage transplant on May 10, 2023, he had been placed on long-term injured reserve.
He prepared for his return with a two-game conditioning assignment in the AHL with the Colorado Eagles and participated in Avalanche practices in preparation for the playoffs.
Stars forward Matt Duchene, a former teammate, maintained a supportive stance, saying, “We’ve been rooting for him. It’s tough having a competitor of his caliber back, but on a personal level, it’s fantastic to witness his progress. I’m truly happy to see him here.”
As for Landeskog, the competitive spirit remains fierce, even as he acknowledged their friendship. “Regardless of what jersey Rantanen wears, he’s a good friend. But in this series, there are no friends on the ice,” Landeskog declared.
“This is extremely exciting to have him back in the room with us,” teammate Makar added. “He played really well tonight, and we’re hopeful he can continue that trajectory as he’s truly a pivotal asset to our team.”