All signs seemed to point towards Gabriel Landeskog’s return to an NHL rink for the first time in almost three years, however, in the blink of an eye, the Colorado Avalanche captain’s name featured in the inactives list. After the 4-3 loss in overtime, Jared Bednar spoke on the matter, offering a strong statement on why the veteran leader was sidelined during Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs first round series against the Dallas Stars.
The Avalanche couldn’t build on their Game 1 victory and take a commanding 2-0 series lead back to Denver, where the Avalanche have one of the best home records in the NHL‘s recent history.
It was a heartbreaking defeat, conceding the game-winning goal to Dallas in overtime, after appearing to be in control for much of the extra time period. One loose puck in front of the crease, a golden opportunity for Colin Blackwell, an unsung hero for the Stars, who rose to the ocassion in the brightest of spotlights.
Bednar and Colorado shouldn’t, and oughtn’t, hang their heads in sorrow and defeat, the series is wide open and they’re taking an even score back to their home-ice in Mile High City. Moreover, they could finally welcome Landeskog back to the starting lineup.
Gabriel Landeskog #92 of the Colorado Avalanche poses for a photo with Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly before the presentation of the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl after defeating the Edmonton Oilers 6-5 in overtime in Game Four of the Western Conference Final of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on June 06, 2022 in Edmonton, Alberta.
“[Landeskog] wanted to get in the groove and take warm up tonight and get in the room… be part of it,” Bednar admitted in his postgame press conference about Landeskog’s participation during warmups. “So that’s why he did that.”
see also
Dallas Stars: Their journey to Stanley Cup glory
see also
Stanley Cup Playoffs: Stars HC Pete DeBoer sends clear message after evening the series against Avalanche
Coincidence or not
Landeskog was awfully close to participating in Game 2, or so it looked like, as he participated in the team’s warmups and fans thought for sure he’d start as Myles Wood appeared in the scratches list, but his name was flipped with Landeskog’s shortly after.
As it turned out, Wood was partially responsible for Blackwell’s game-winning goal, as he strayed from the puck and was late getting to the rebound, allowing the Stars’ fourth-liner to take a second, this time lethal, shot on net. “The last play was my fault,” Wood boldly stated postgame, via COL Hockey Now.
Head coach Jared Bednar of the Colorado Avalanche looks on against the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period at the United Center on January 08, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
New series
The Avs and Stars now head to Denver with the series deadlocked. It’s wide open for both sides: Dallas will aim to ride their wave of momentum and steal a pivotal Game 3 on the road, shifting the pressure onto Colorado.
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Meanwhile, the Avalanche will look to flip the script and feed off the electric atmosphere inside Ball Arena. And with Landeskog’s potential return looming, the captain’s presence could be the final spark that blows the roof off the barn.
