Gabriel Landeskog, the Colorado Avalanche captain, declared it was 'go time' as he stepped back onto the ice Wednesday night, ending nearly three years away due to injury. It wasn’t just another game on the schedule.It was the beginning of a powerful comeback story set on playoff ice. After a rare and lengthy recovery from knee cartilage surgery, Landeskog suited up for the first time since the Colorado Avalanche Stanley Cup win in 2022.
The energy inside Ball Arena was electric. Fans arrived early, filling the stands and chanting his name as he led the warmups solo, soaking in the moment. When the puck dropped, Landeskog jumped straight into action, delivering hits, setting up early plays, and bringing back the intensity he’s known for.
Colorado Avalanche players:
Despite the emotional lift and strong start, the Colorado Avalanche players couldn’t hold off Dallas for the full 60 minutes. Valeri Nichushkin opened the scoring with a powerful move through the slot, but the Stars tied the game in the third and pushed it to overtime. Just over five minutes into OT (Over Time), veteran Tyler Seguin also returning from injury netted the winner for Dallas.
Colorado had a huge opportunity to win in overtime after earning a power play early in the extra frame. But Dallas’s penalty kill stood strong, blocking key shots and keeping the Avalanche off the board. Goalie Mackenzie Blackwood made several clutch saves, and Landeskog’s physical presence was felt throughout, but it wasn’t enough to close the game.
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Now trailing 2-1 in the series, Colorado will need to bounce back fast before Game 4. Landeskog’s return brings more than just skill, it reignites the heart of the team. Though this chapter ended in defeat, the Colorado Avalanche players know the fight is far from over, and the playoffs are still very much alive.