Landeskog News Hangs Heavy, But Avs Overcome Again

Colorado controls its own divisional destiny heading in season finale tomorrow

A win is a win, right? 

Thursday night at Ball Arena ended up being a 4-2 divisional victory against the visiting Winnipeg Jets and two huge points. It gives the Colorado Avalanche the chance to win the Central tomorrow night despite all the injuries and adversity of 2022-23.

Then why does this all feel so hollow? 

Perhaps it’s because there was a noticeable pall over the entire night as Gabriel Landeskog made it official before the game that he would not return to the lineup this season. 

Well… that sucks. But I guess it means we can stop speculating, hoping and praying to whichever god or front-office executive you choose to believe in that the captain will be back this season. He won’t.

“A huge blow. He's our captain. One of the top players in the world,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said after the game.

Yep, but…time to turn the page. There’s still one game left and an improbable in-season comeback could be completed if the Avs win tomorrow night in Nashville and take the Central Division by a point over the Dallas Stars. The Avs have to get two points to win the title. One point won’t get the job done.

That is a possibility because a lifeless and uninspired Avalanche team somehow found a way to gut out a two-goal win against a borderline AHL team wearing Winnipeg jerseys in the final home game of the regular season.

I’ve been an optimist all season, so even I’m surprised at how I’m feeling right now after a victory and with the aforementioned clinching scenario still in play. But that’s how infuriating tonight’s game and pre-game presser were.

As for tonight’s actual game on the ice…