Gabriel Landeskog hadn`t scored an NHL goal in 1,041 days. For that long, the Colorado Avalanche captain had been without the familiar sound of the goal horn at Ball Arena, the celebratory embrace from teammates on the ice, or the roar of the Denver crowd acknowledging his name.
He recently got a taste of that feeling with a goal during an AHL conditioning stint two weeks prior. However, on Saturday night under the bright lights of the big league, Landeskog finally had his moment, netting his first NHL goal since June 2022. This crucial goal, coupled with Mackenzie Blackwood`s impressive 23 saves for a shutout, helped the Avalanche secure a convincing 4-0 Game 4 victory against the Dallas Stars and even the playoff series at 2-2.
This wasn`t a lucky deflection or a simple tap-in; it was a classic Landeskog goal, showcasing his signature style.
Starting the night on the second line alongside Brock Nelson (after returning in Game 3 on the bottom six), Landeskog was highly engaged from the start of Game 4. In the second period, despite Stars goalie Jake Oettinger`s strong performance repeatedly thwarting the Avs attackers, Nelson carried the puck down the left wing. He skillfully maneuvered past two Stars defenders, drawing attention towards the wall, before setting up an open Landeskog in the slot. The captain didn`t hesitate, receiving the pass, winding up quickly, and firing a powerful shot past Oettinger`s glove with authority.
