He was cheered when he took the ice for warmups and cheered even more when coach Jared Bednar put him on the top line for the opening faceoff.
‘The last three years have been difficult at times, but to come back and feel that love is incredible,’ Landeskog, who needed cartilage transplant surgery in 2023, said in his postgame news conference.
Landeskog made an impact early with a big hit on the Dallas Stars’ Mikko Rantanen. He finished the game with six hits and set up several scoring chances but was held without a point.
‘I felt pretty good. Speed-wise, legs, physically I felt good,’ he said, adding that he will have to work on his timing.
In the end, the Stars walked away with a 2-1 victory when Tyler Seguin scored in overtime for a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference series.
‘Regardless of the outcome of the game, that was a memory of a lifetime for me,’ Landeskog said.
USA TODAY provided updates on Gabriel Landeskog’s return in Game 3 of the Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars series. Here are the highlights:
Gabriel Landeskog almost lost it when his kids held up sign
Landeskog said the closest he came to losing it during the pregame warmup was seeing the ‘big smiling faces’ of his son and daughter when they held up a sign saying they were proud of him. He noted that they were 1 and 2 when he last played and are 4 and 5 now.
‘They’ve probably been thinking that I’ve been lying this whole time that I do play hockey,’ said Landeskog, whose family has another child on the way. ‘I really do. … It just puts in perspective how much time has passed.’
Avalanche vs. Stars highlights
Final score: Stars 2, Avalanche 1 (OT)
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.
Gabriel Landeskog final stats
He finishes with 18 shifts, 13:16 of ice time, six hits, no shots and one blocked shot.
Avalanche-Stars score: Dallas wins in overtime
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.
Penalty killed
Dallas’ Esa Lindell blocks a shot with an open net after the penalty ends.
Big stop by Mackenzie Blackwood
Colin Blackwell, who scored in overtime of Game 2, gets a shorthanded chance, but Mackenzie Blackwood stops him.
Overtime begins
Colorado on the power play to start overtime. First unit stars and Landeskog comes out with the second unit.
Gabriel Landeskog stats
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.
End of third period: Avalanche 1, Stars 1
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.
Avalanche go on power play
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.
Gabriel Landeskog out with Nathan MacKinnon
There’s a flurry in front of the net but Jake Oettinger keeps it out.
Avalanche go on power play
Matt Duchene is called for tripping. First unit is out there. Dallas kills off the penalty.
Avalanche-Stars score: Dallas ties it up
Colorado kills off the Arturri Lehkonen penalty, then Nathan MacKinnon is called for interference. This time, Dallas strikes quickly. Jamie Benn deflects in a shot-pass from Thomas Harley 10 seconds into the power play. It’s Benn’s first goal in 19 games. Avalanche 1, Stars 1
Stars go on power play
Artturi Lehkonen is called for holding Thomas Harley.
Third period underway
Score remains 1-0 Colorado.
Gabriel Landeskog stats
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.
End of second period: Avalanche 1, Stars 0
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.
Big shift by Gabriel Landeskog
He makes two solid defensive plays against the Stars then sets up a good Avalanche scoring chance.
Jared Bednar praises Gabriel Landeskog
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.
Stars’ Lian Bichsel injured
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. He’ll eventually return.
Avalanche go on power play
Dallas is called for too many men on the ice. Landeskog jumps on the ice with the second unit. Stars kill it off. No shots.
Second period underway
Avalanche lead 1-0.
Gabriel Landeskog stats
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.
End of first period: Avalanche 1, Stars 0
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 .
Avalanche go on power play
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.
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:
What injury did Gabriel Landeskog have?
He has returned from a chronic injury to his knee that kept him out since 2022. He had cartilage transplant surgery in 2023.
What is Gabriel Landeskog’s position?
Landeskog plays left wing.
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.