Back-to-Back: Landeskog Will Play Again Saturday For AHL Eagles

Gabriel Landeskog is playing on back-to-back nights.

Following a rather successful return to professional hockey Friday night in Loveland, the Avalanche’s captain, who is on a conditioning stint with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles, is set to dress again on Saturday at Blue Arena.

Landeskog played just shy of 15 minutes in his AHL debut, seeing five shifts in each period with minutes on both the power play and penalty kill. The Eagles went on to defeat the Henderson Silver Knights 2-0.

“I’m excited about what the future looks like for me,” said Landeskog postgame, admitting that his knee feels great and better than he thought it would.

Now 32 years old, Landeskog hasn’t suited up in the NHL since June 26, 2022 — the night he helped the Avs win the Stanley Cup in Tampa Bay. After several knee procedures and eventually a knee cartilage transplant in May of 2023, Landeskog found himself constantly suffering setbacks that would delay his possible return.

WATCH: Landeskog’s Full Postgame Media Availability on Friday

With Colorado’s regular season set to be completed this weekend, Landeskog is eyeing an NHL return for the Stanley Cup playoffs, which begin on April 19. If all goes well in his second game in as many days, Landeskog could find himself practicing back with the big club again on Tuesday and working towards that goal.

As is usually the case, he’ll take it day by day to see how his knee responds.

“I have high expectations of myself. I’m also realistic in knowing what I’ve gone through and how much time is missed,” Landeskog said. “I don’t want to look too far ahead. But I do know that I feel good today, hopefully I feel good tomorrow, and we can keep working. I can keep practicing, and we’ll see where it takes us.”