Gabe Landeskog exited the Avalanche's Jan. 4 matchup with the Florida Panthers after crashing into the net and backboards. Landeskog required assistance off the ice in the second period and did not return.
Landeskog, recently named to the Swedish Olympic Hockey team, returned to playing in the regular season for the Avalanche for the first time in three years at the start of this season. The veteran winger has suffered from a variety of knee and leg injuries, including a cartilage transplant surgery that led to him missing almost every Avalanche game in the last three years, aside from a brief return in the playoffs last year.
Tonight, Landeskog caught the edge of the net with his ribs and side, appearing to be at the very least winded, and ultimately revealed himself to be in more pain when he required both Nathan MacKinnon and a trainers help off the ice. Colorado's RSN Altitude+ announced that he would not return in the third period, classifying his status with an upper body injury. That, at least, helped to assuage Avs' faithful worst fears that he had re-injured one or both of his knees.
So far this season, the Avalanche captain has been playing more of a supporting role to the current more high profile stars of the team like MacKinnon and Cale Makar, though his presence has certainly been felt on the ice. In 40 games, the 6'2" Swede has 7 goals and 15 assists for 22 points, and hadn't missed a game yet this season. Though he spent part of the season on the third and fourth lines, in recent weeks Landeskog has been playing on Colorado's top line with MacKinnon and Martin Necas.
The Avalanche, who have the best record in the league at the moment, suffered just their third regulation loss this season as they were unable to overcome the Florida Panthers, who won the game 2-1 and snapped the Avs' ten game winning streak.
Head Coach Jared Bednar stated postgame that he did not have an immediate timetable for Landeskog's return, but that he would miss some time and be unavailable to close out their three game road trip.