Gabriel Landeskog Breaks Goal-Scoring Drought
In a triumphant moment for Gabriel Landeskog, the captain of the Colorado Avalanche, he finally broke his lengthy goal-scoring drought on Tuesday night against the Anaheim Ducks, netting his first regular-season goal in over three years. The goal came during the second period of a decisive 4-1 win, and it’s been a long time coming for Landeskog, who had not scored in the regular season since March 5, 2022, due to significant knee issues that kept him sidelined for three consecutive seasons.
Emotional Moments and Challenges
After the game, with his young son, Luke, peacefully asleep, the 33-year-old was eager to share the news with him.
“My son will be happy when he wakes up; he keeps asking about my scores,”
Landeskog remarked, expressing his enthusiasm at a moment he has long awaited.
This season had been particularly frustrating for him, as Landeskog saw two of his goals negated by challenges from rival teams.
“I honestly thought that I might have gotten called for goaltender interference, but luckily I didn’t,”
he joked about the moment after scoring a rebound from Valeri Nichushkin’s shot, much to the cheering of the home crowd in Denver.
Comeback Journey
Before making a comeback in the playoffs last April, where he scored during the Dallas series, the last time Landeskog had played an NHL game was in June 2022, when the Avalanche celebrated winning the Stanley Cup against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He underwent cartilage transplant surgery on May 10, 2023, to address ongoing knee problems.
Impact on the Team
Landeskog’s return has been pivotal for the Avalanche, who are currently dominating with an impressive record of 11 wins, 1 loss, and 5 overtime losses, earning them 27 points overall. His teammates recognize the impact of his leadership.
“He’s just that voice of reason,”
commented goaltender Scott Wedgewood, highlighting Landeskog’s calming presence in the locker room, especially as he navigates his 14th season as captain.
Looking Ahead
Now gradually regaining the form that made him an All-Star in 2019, Landeskog is playing on the third line and averages about 13 minutes and 43 seconds of ice time per game, significantly less than his career average of 19:18. Despite feeling that he isn’t quite at peak performance, he views his current condition positively.
“The good days and bad days are starting to be less distinct, and that’s a step forward for me,”
he explained.
While the pressure of his scoring slump affected him at times, he remained focused on contributing in various ways, even dropping the gloves in an altercation against Tampa’s Charle-Edouard D’Astous in a previous game, which emphasizes his all-around contribution to the team. As his scoring totals include four assists this season, Landeskog looks forward to achieving more, especially with the NBA season approaching its midpoint. He also has plans to represent Sweden at the Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina this February.
Injury Update
In a slight setback for the Avalanche, it was noted that Nichushkin sustained a lower-body injury during the game against Anaheim, which will sideline him for an undisclosed period, as hinted by coach Jared Bednar. Mackenzie Blackwood is scheduled to start in goal against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday.
