Avs captain Gabriel Landeskog makes his return in Game 3, Ball Arena goes nuts

This story has been updated below

The return of Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog is seemingly official.

After we thought it might happen in Game 2 against the Dallas Stars, Landeskog was a late scratch, it looks like he’ll play in Game 3 at Ball Arena.

The Avs hinted at that reality with a social media post and interview with Landeskog a couple of hours before puck drop.

The Cap has a message for you, Avs Faithful.#GoAvsGo | #BuiltDifferent pic.twitter.com/dhoTqrflZo

— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) April 24, 2025

“I’ll have my jersey on tonight,” Landeskog said as he drove to the arena. “I’m excited to be apart of the guys and see if we can take care of this Dallas Stars team.”

“I’ll see you tonight,” Landeskog told Avs faithful at the conclusion of his message.

And tonight will be his first NHL game in 1,032 days.

Gabriel Landeskog takes the ice as he prepares to play his first NHL game in over 1000 days #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/0SxesPMMsr

— Denver Sports 104.3 (@DenSports1043) April 24, 2025

There it is!

Ball Arena erupts as Gabriel Landeskog emerges from the tunnel and leads the Avalanche on to the ice for Game 3. Chills 👏 pic.twitter.com/elVaQPkuXQ

— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) April 24, 2025

Landeskog last skated for the Avalanche on June 26, 2022, when the franchise won its third Stanley Cup by beating the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games. Since then he’s undergone multiple knee surgeries, including a cartilage replacement surgery in May of 2023.

Gabriel Landeskog becomes the first NHL player to ever return from that operation, and a remarkable story is complete. Of course, many more chapters could be written depending on what Landeskog does during this postseason run and beyond, but this is already a tremendous milestone.

He played in two games with the Colorado Eagles a couple of weekends ago, the Avalanche’s AHL affiliate, and even scored a goal. But with all due respect, that was minor-league hockey, and this is the NHL playoffs.

Head coach Jared Bednar isn’t putting Landeskog out there just for the nice story. He’s doing it because he believes Landeskog gives Colorado the best chance to win, as they’re locked into a 1-1 series with the rival Stars.

Bednar had been coy about when Landeskog would return, saying early Wednesday morning there was a “good chance” he’d be back for Game 3, before saying “we’ll see” after the team’s morning skate. Well, we saw what the Avalanche posted, and Gabriel Landeskog is likely in the lineup.

This is one of the best comebacks in Denver sports history already, if not the best. Now if the captain can help the Avalanche win a Stanley Cup this year, they might make a Disney movie or something of the like out of it.

For now, all of Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region will stand and applaud the return, and can’t wait to find out how this story ultimately ends.

(Update 8:20 p.m.) –

Gabriel Landeskog started for the Avalanche and Ball Arena went nuts. He’s officially all the way back.

The pop for Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog when he was introduced last in the starting lineup 😳 🤯

It went on for a legitimate 30 seconds. Loudest maybe I’ve ever heard Ball Arena. pic.twitter.com/jSC0uQMotR

— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) April 24, 2025

Ball Arena goes CRAZY as Gabriel Landeskog is introduced ahead of Game 3 🔊#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/9kV8BZua1P

— Denver Sports 104.3 (@DenSports1043) April 24, 2025

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