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.

Gabriel Landeskog’s right knee feels “really good” two days after his first NHL game in nearly three seasons. His thumbs may soon be a different story.

Colorado’s captain hadn’t played in an NHL game since 2022. Against long odds, he made his way back in Game 3 versus Dallas.