Gabriel Landeskog made a triumphant return to the Colorado Avalanche lineup, scoring his first goal since the 2022 Stanley Cup Final during Game 4 of the playoffs against the Stars. His teammates joyfully celebrated the emotional goal, recognizing the challenging journey he had endured due to a chronic right knee injury that required multiple surgeries since 2020. After a two-game rehab stint in the AHL, Landeskog rejoined the Avalanche in Game 3, marking his first NHL action since the 2022 postseason. Although he might not yet be at his full NHL speed, Landeskog's gratitude for being back on the ice is palpable. Scoring in such a significant game symbolizes not just his physical recovery but also a personal victory in his comeback journey.

Gabriel Landeskog scored his first goal since the 2022 Stanley Cup Final, a moment celebrated by his Colorado Avalanche teammates during Game 4 of the playoffs against the Stars.

His return to the ice was marked by an emotional embrace from his teammates, who understood the extent of his arduous recovery from a chronic knee injury.

The injury, initially sustained in 2020, required multiple surgeries, preventing Landeskog from playing in the NHL since the 2022 postseason until his recent return.

Before rejoining the Avalanche, Landeskog underwent a two-game rehab assignment in the AHL to regain game fitness, leading to his appearance in Game 3 of the playoff series.

Despite not being fully up to NHL speed, Landeskog expressed immense gratitude for being able to play again, with his goal serving as a symbolic milestone in his recovery.

The successful return and goal-scoring performance highlight both a physical and emotional triumph for Landeskog, reaffirming his perseverance and dedication.

Billy Heyen, a freelance writer with The Sporting News, emphasized the significance of this moment in his reporting, highlighting Landeskog's journey and the emotional atmosphere of his return.

Gabriel Landeskog's teammates rushed to embrace him, all with smiles on their faces.

They all knew, to an extent, what this journey had been like for the Colorado Avalanche captain.

He's the only one that fully knows.

But the storybook return got its goal on Saturday night. Landeskog, back on the ice in these playoffs for his first NHL action since the 2022 postseason, slotted home Colorado's third in Game 4 against the Stars.

GABRIEL LANDESKOG HAS HIS FIRST GOAL SINCE THE 2022 STANLEY CUP FINAL! 👏 pic.twitter.com/7bpu2LmTtK

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 27, 2025

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The captain returned in Game 3 of the series after sitting out the first two.

Landeskog had been out because of a chronic right knee injury that needed multiple surgeries.

He did go on a two-game rehab assignment to the AHL before the playoffs began to get some game action in.

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The knee that was initially hurt in 2020 and eventually begun being repaired in 2022 was finally well enough to allow Landeskog to make his return. 

It took him just into a second game to return to his goal-scoring ways.

He might not be perfectly up to the speed of an NHL game, but Landeskog just seems extremely grateful to be out there at all.

Getting a meaningful goal just serves as icing on the comeback cake.

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