The Colorado Avalanche tied their first-round series against the Dallas Stars with a 4–0 win Saturday, highlighted by a milestone goal from team captain Gabriel Landeskog.
Playing just his second game after nearly three years sidelined, Landeskog scored in the second period to extend Colorado’s lead to a commanding 3-0 while igniting Ball Arena in Denver.
The NHL reacted quickly on social media, posting a message along with the clip of the goal and the celebration on X.
" GABRIEL LANDESKOG GOAL! GABRIEL LANDESKOG GOAL!
His first goal in the NHL since June 20, 2022 puts the @Avalanche up 3-0 in this one! #StanleyCup."
Landeskog finished a drop pass from Brock Nelson with a quick shot past Stars goalie Jake Oettinger at 13:10 of the second period.
The goal marked his first since June 20, 2022, when he scored against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup Final.
Landeskog's goal-scoring hiatus spanned 1,041 days since he last found the net in Game 3 against the Bolts, although he scored one goal during his conditioning stint with the Avalanche's AHL affiliate team before the playoffs.
Landeskog missed nearly three full seasons following a cartilage transplant surgery on his chronically injured right knee. He had not played since Colorado’s 2022 championship run.
"I've envisioned scoring again for a long time, and then there were obviously days where I didn't know if I was ever going to get to score again," Landeskog said. "So obviously it feels good.
"To get to do it in front of our fans obviously means a lot."
The captain made his highly anticipated return in Game 3 when he logged 13:16 Wednesday, finishing with six hits, a giveaway, and a takeaway.
Game 5 is scheduled for Monday night in Dallas with the series tied 2–2.
