Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog said, “it’s go time,” before he returned from a nearly three-year injury absence Wednesday night against the Dallas Stars.
Landeskog last played in the NHL in 2022 during the Avalanche’s Stanley Cup-clinching win against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He has been rehabbing a serious knee injury that required a cartilage transplant.
“I feel surprisingly calm and in control right now. I know the butterflies and the nerves will come. Excited,” he told Altitude Sports.
“I found myself thinking about this moment a lot over the last three years and now that it’s here, it’s reversed. 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.”
Here are live updates from Game 3 of the Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars series:
Avalanche go on power play
Dallas’ Colin Blackwell, the Game 2 hero, is called for tripping.
Avalanche rush
Landeskog leads a rush up ice. Avalanche get a few looks at the net but don’t connect.
Avalanche-Stars score: Colorado gets first goal
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
Gabriel Landeskog video tribute
During the first TV timeout, a video appeared on the video screen detailing Landeskog’s comeback journey.
Lines change
Jonathan Drouin moves onto the Nathan MacKinnon line. Landeskog playing on the third line with Charlie Coyle and Joel Kiviranta.
Gabriel Landeskog hit
Landeskog knocks down Dallas’ Mikko Rantanen, his former teammate.
Gabriel Landeskog line
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 Landeskog’s last NHL game before tonight
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.
Gabriel Landeskog takes ice for warmups
Gabriel Landeskog thanks fans for their support
The Avalanche posted this message from Gabriel Landeskog before Game 3:
Gabriel Landeskog injury update
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.
How to watch Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars
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.
Evander Kane injury update
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.
