Practice Report: Landeskog Takes Part In Avalanche’s Full-Team Practice

In the Avalanche’s first full-team practice in preparation for the playoffs, 15 forwards, eight defenseman, and two goalies participated in the skate.

Most notably, captain Gabriel Landeskog, fresh off a two-game conditioning stint in the AHL, was on the extras line with Miles Wood and Jimmy Vesey.

Landeskog was a full participant, taking contact and ramping up his conditioning with hopes of being part of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The team cannot technically activate him off long-term injury reserve until Friday, after the regular season is completed.

“Really excited to see him get back on the ice and do what he loves to do,” Avs general manager Chris MacFarland said, holding his annual press conference before the start of the postseason. “I think the two games in Loveland were successful because Gabe was on the ice and was able to play.”

It’s not yet clear if Landeskog will be in the lineup for Game 1 this weekend. It feels like it’s leaning toward it, but as is usually the case for the playoffs, the team is keeping all decisions close to the vest.

Assuming everyone stays healthy this week, Landeskog would need to unseat a regular from the forward group, whether it’s Parker Kelly or Joel Kiviranta, for example.

“The conditioning part is going to be a work in progress. That should only improve as we dig in,” MacFarland said. “He just did something that he hasn’t done in three years, he played a game and then he played a game the next night.

“Now it’s read and react and see how he is in the morning and go from there. Day by day.”

Ryan Lindgren Skates On His Own

Defenseman Ryan Lindgren was on the ice early before practice working with skills coach Toby Petersen. Lindgren skated with the team for about 15 minutes before leaving early. His status is still uncertain for the start of the playoffs. What he’s able to do on Friday will help clue us in on whether he’ll be ready for Game 1. The Avs are off on Thursday.

Another defenseman who has missed time is Josh Manson. He’s been out since March 14 and only played in 48 games. Manson was a full practice participant for the second day in a row after also skating in Tuesday’s optional.

Again, the Avs aren’t going to share any information about player availability, but it’s leaning toward Manson being healthy. We’ll have to see what happens between now and Friday’s flight to Dallas.

The schedule has not yet been released but the expectation is for Game 1 to be on Saturday at American Airlines Center.

Avalanche Practice Lines

Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Martin Necas
Jonathan Drouin — Brock Nelson — Valeri Nichushkin
Joel Kiviranta — Charlie Coyle — Ross Colton
Parker Kelly — Jack Drury — Logan O’Connor
Gabriel Landeskog — Miles Wood — Jimmy Vesey

Defense participants: Cale Makar, Devon Toews, Samuel Girard, Erik Johnson, Josh Manson, Keaton Middleton, and Sam Malinski (Ryan Lindgren for 15 minutes)

Mackenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood