Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog makes first NHL start after 1,032 days in Game 3 against Stars

Gabriel Landeskog returned to NHL action for the first time since leading the Colorado Avalanche to the Stanley Cup triumph in June 2022.

Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog makes first NHL start after 1,032 days in Game 3 against Stars

Gabriel Landeskog (Image via Imago)

After 1,032 days, Gabriel Landeskog was back on the ice field. The Colorado Avalanche captain last appearance in the NHL came on June 26, 2022 during Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

On that day, Landeskog lifted the Stanley Cup as his team stopped the Lightning from 3-peating the championship. Following the end of the season, he would undergo an arthroscopic knee surgery. The Swedish international was expected to miss around 12 weeks of the 2022-23 season from this surgery.

However, things did not go as he and the Avalanche had hoped for. He ended up missing the entire season. In May 2023, the team announced that Landeskog will undergo a cartilage transplant surgery in his right knee and will miss the entirety of the 2023-24 season as well.

All of this led to concern among the Avalanche fans, with many wondering whether they would get to see their captain back on the ice. Last year, he was spotted skating on the ice. On 9 April 2025, he was loaned to the team’s AHL affiliate for a conditioning assignment.

On Wednesday, the No.92 of the Avs finally made his much-anticipated return to the ice. Fans inside the Ball Arena, home of the Avs, would explode in joy as his name was announced in the starting lineup.

In his first start in almost 2 years and 10 months, the 32-year-old spent over 13 minutes on the ice. He, though, did not have any shot on goal.

Gabriel Landeskog delivers huge hit on former teammate during return to NHL action

As Gabriel Landeskog made his return to the starting lineup of the Colorado Avalanche, the fans were buzzing with excitement. In his return to NHL action, the Swedish international showcased his strength by landing a heavy hit on one of his former teammate.

Gabriel Landeskog
Gabriel Landeskog (Image via ClutchPoints)

Landeskog was not the only one who was returning to Colorado after all. His longtime friend and former teammate Mikko Rantanen also returned to the Ball Arena. Earlier this year, he was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes. A few days later, he was traded to the Dallas Stars.

In his first shift back on the ice, Landeskog went in heavy and landed a huge hit on his ex-teammate. Inside the opening 30 seconds of the game, the 32-year-old came from behind and hit Rantanen leading to huge ovation from the fans.

Earlier in the day, Rantanen had made his feelings known on seeing Landeskog return. In the pre-match conference, the former Avs star said that he was ‘happy’ to see him return.

It’s great. As a friend, I’m very happy for him. I was happy to see him play a couple games in the AHL… The journey he’s been through, I don’t think anybody else, at least in hockey, has gone through what he’s gone through. It’s remarkable he’s coming back.

Mikko Rantanen said

Stars spoil Gabriel Landeskog’s return with OT winner in Game 3

With the series leveled at 1-1, Game 3 was an important one for both teams. This game became significantly more important for the Avs, as their captain, Gabriel Landeskog, marked his return. However, the Stars were in no mood for a welcome back party and spoiled his return with an OT winner.

Gabriel Landeskog
Gabriel Landeskog (Image via Imago)

After Valeri Nischuskin gave the Avalanche a 1-0 lead in the first period, the Stars fought back and drew level with a goal from Jamie Benn through a power play in the third period.

Mikko Rantanen, the former Avs star, was involved in the decisive moment of the game. After winning the puck, he set up Mason Marchment through on goal. The Stars’ man would pull the puck back for Tyler Seguin, who slammed home his shot at the 5:31 mark to give his side an important 2-1 lead.

Game 4 of this series will take place on Saturday at the Ball Arena. If the Avalanche fail in that game, then they will have a huge mountain to climb to remain in the Stanley Cup playoffs.