Deen’s Daily: Avalanche Still Not Ruling Out Landeskog Playing In The AHL on Friday

The Avalanche won their second-to-last regular-season home game, and the head coach again answered a question about his captain. Also, the NHL had some funky scores on Tuesday.

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — April 9.

Colorado Hockey Now

The Avs erased a two-goal deficit and defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 3-2 in a shootout on Tuesday.

But the biggest news came after the game when Jared Bednar once again wouldn’t rule out the possibility that Gabriel Landeskog gets sent to the AHL for a conditioning assignment and dresses in a game for the Eagles on Friday.

It’s one of those reminders that, as much as we all want the first Landeskog return to be at Ball Arena — for his first ovation to come from 18,007 home fans — the captain isn’t looking at it the same way. For him, it’s not about getting one final return, or one final game or playoff series. He’s trying to save his career and wants to go through the necessary steps to do that.

On the surface, Landeskog playing in an AHL game sounds crazy. But logically, that’s the next step in this process, if it gets to that. We’ll see what the next handful of days brings.

We’re all rooting for him.

Around The NHL

Vancouver’s Record-Breaking Comeback: Ready for an epic night of hockey? It starts with this one. The Vancouver Canucks trailed the Dallas Stars 5-2 in the final minutes but made a miraculous comeback in the last minute of regulation before winning in overtime. They scored at 19:00, 19:30, and 19:54 to tie it up at 5-5. They became the only team in NHL history to erase a three-goal deficit in the final minute and win the game.

Utah’s Scoring Spree: The Utah Hockey Club led 7-0 at the second intermission against the Seattle Kraken and went on to win 7-1. The number of weird scores on Tuesday didn’t end there, though.

NYI Hockey Now: Another crazy ending in Nashville. The Islanders led 6-4 but gave up two late goals, including the game-tying tally at 19:20 of the third period, before falling 7-6 in OT to the Preds. Justus Annunen played the whole game for Nashville, making 16 saves on 22 shots and earning the victory.

New Jersey Hockey Now: How about this one? The Bruins, who have lost a lot of games lately, absolutely embarrassed the New Jersey Devils. This was the Devils’ first chance to clinch a playoff spot, and they looked brutal.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: This one’s not as crazy, but the Penguins shutout the Chicago Blackhawks 5-0.

Montreal Hockey Now: The biggest news of the day, to me at least. Ivan Demidov is coming! Montreal carried the excitement of its top prospect making his way to North America by beating the Detroit Red Wings 4-1. This all but locks up a playoff spot for the Habs, their first since 2021.