Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog grabbed the headlines with a storied goal against the Dallas Stars in Game 4 on Saturday.
For the first time in nearly three years, Landeskog has scored a goal in the NHL. It took him over 1,000 days to recover from his chronic knee injury that he suffered back in 2020 and lingered for another two years. Furthermore, he has undergone three surgeries since March 2023.
However, he made a dramatic return to the Colorado lineup on Wednesday for Game 3, playing his first game since June 2022.
Now, in his second game since returning, he has scored his first goal since June 20, 2022. “There were days where I didn’t know if I would ever score again,” Landeskog told reporters after the Avalanche’s 4-0 victory over the Stars to tie the series at two games apiece.
“There were days where I didn’t know if I would ever score again”
– Gabe Landeskog
— Jesse Montano (@jessemontano_) April 27, 2025
His goal came in the second period to give the Avs a 3-0 lead. It came off an assist from trade-deadline acquisition Brock Nelson. Nelson recorded his first playoff point as a member of the Avalanche on the play, as he coasted into the offensive zone on the left wing, found Landeskog in the slot, and the Avs captain wired it home.
🚨 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
🇺🇸: @NHL_On_TNT (TBS) & @SportsonMax ➡️ https://t.co/4TuyIATi3T
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️… pic.twitter.com/w7UBXIWFpM— NHL (@NHL) April 27, 2025
Landeskog’s teammates were smiling ear-to-ear as they joined him along the boards in celebration. And their excitement for him didn’t wear off after the game.
“There’s only one Gabe Landeskog in the world,” said Nathan MacKinnon, a longtime teammate and friend of Landeskog’s. “It was more than just a playoff goal… It was a life goal.”
Along with teammates, the hockey world acknowledged the incredible comeback story that has unfolded in front of their eyes.
NHL on TNT host Liam McHugh said on X (formerly Twitter), “The best story in sports just keeps getting better. Gabe Landeskog buries his first goal in 1,041 days — and the roof is about to rip off of Ball Arena.”
Landeskog’s goal wasn’t the last time he would make an impact in this contest. He added a secondary assist in the third period, connecting with Nelson again, with defenseman Samuel Girard scoring the fourth and final goal of the game – his first goal of the 2025 playoffs.
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