Comeback Complete: Avalanche's Gabriel Landeskog Hits Rantanen In First NHL Shift Since 2022

Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog took his first shift in the NHL since winning the 2022 Stanley Cup final.

He predicted before Game 3 of the Avalanche’s first-round series against the Dallas Stars that his first shift would be short. It lasted 33 seconds.

During that time, the crowd not only chanted his name but cheered when he touched the puck and popped when he hit his former teammate, Mikko Rantanen, to the ice.

The many Avalanche fans who waved their rally towels during warmups chanted “Landy, Landy, Landy” while the 32-year-old prepared for his first game since June 26, 2022, 1,032 days ago.

His two children held up a sign saying, “So proud of you Daddy!” before the game. Landeskog gifted them both a puck.  

The “Landy” chants returned when Landeskog hit the ice before the American national anthem. When the P.A. announcer revealed Landeskog was in the starting lineup, the crowd roared and chanted his name again.

That shows just part of the significance of the Avalanche’s captain returning to the NHL.

He had a right knee injury that involved multiple surgeries, including a cartilage transplant surgery in May 2023. He had multiple setbacks in his recovery.

“I found myself thinking about this moment a lot over the last three years, and now that it’s here, it’s reversed,” Landeskog told Altitude Sports’ Kyle Keefe before the game. “I’m thinking a lot about kind of the hard work that’s gone into it. Some of the ups, a lot of the downs, the sacrifices and support I’ve had along the way. Thankful for everybody and all their support.”

Landekog’s previous game action was on April 11 and 12 with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles during a conditioning loan.

“He had every right to pull the plug at any time he wanted to but wanted to see it through,” Avalanche teammate Erik Johnson told NHL.com.

Added defenseman Cale Makar: “It’s going to be really exciting to have him back in the room, and have the Captain back doing his thing.”

Landeskog spoke about how he felt leading up to game time.

“I feel surprisingly calm and in control right now,” he said. “I know the butterflies and the nerves will come, I’m sure. But, excited.”

His second shift lasted 18 seconds, but his third shift lasted 1:06. The Avalanche will now try to win their second game of the series in front of the Avs and Landeskog faithful.

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