The Colorado Avalanche will get a big boost this weekend as captain Gabriel Landeskog returns to the lineup for the first time in 11 games.
Landeskog, 20, will travel with the team for its three-game Western road swing (Los Angeles, Anaheim, San Jose) and play Saturday at the Staples Center against the Kings.
“I feel good out there,” Landeskog said on Friday. “Today was the first practice with the guys and I finally got out of that pumpkin jersey — I was extremely excited and eager to get back in the lineup and help the guys out.”
The ‘pumpkin jersey’ is in reference to the orange non-contact jersey Landeskog wore for most of the week.
He doffed it on Friday and participated fully with his Avlanche teammates in all drills — contact ones included — the final step in returning from a concussion suffered on Jan. 26 on a big hit from San Jose defenseman Brad Stuart.
Here’s video of Landeskog addressing reporters following practice, courtesy the Avalanche website:
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The match will start at 7:30 p.m. ET.
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Friday’s collection of links.
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Typically, this is called.
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Sharks ‘weren’t very good’ in a Game 5 loss, but ‘maybe that’s a good thing’
May 24, 2013, 2:46 AM EDT
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On the brink of elimination.
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Kings’ Quick ‘didn’t have to work hard’ in shutout win over Sharks
May 24, 2013, 2:28 AM EDT
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Remember when he took the blame for first two losses against St. Louis?
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Second goal in 27 games.
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Discuss: Kings dominate Game 5, one win away from Western Conference final
May 24, 2013, 1:24 AM EDT
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Home team has won every game in this series.
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“Something’s got to give,” Jonathan Toews said.
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Officially sidelined since Feb. 14 due to what GM Mike Gillis cited as safety concerns.
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Rangers’ Lundqvist: Hagelin goal ‘probably the ugliest I’ve ever seen’
May 23, 2013, 11:44 PM EDT
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Something you don’t see every game.
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‘We’ve had streaks before,” he said.
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Three straight penalties, still zero goals in the playoffs.
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Video: Wings’ Abdelkader hacking and whacking at Blackhawks’ Crawford
May 23, 2013, 11:01 PM EDT
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Detroit wins again.
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The Chicago Blackhawks’ frustrations continue.
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Sharks’ Demers is in the lineup for Game 5 against the Kings
May 23, 2013, 10:47 PM EDT
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Game on.
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Tortorella says he loves Brad Richards; those who deny that can ‘kiss his [bleep]‘
May 23, 2013, 10:38 PM EDT
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The Game 4 win clearly made him chipper.
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Chris Kreider with some more playoff magic.
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Not Tuukka Rask’s best moments.
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GM David Poile compares him favorably to Brad Marchand.
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Mike Milbury isn’t totally certain.
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Video: Highlights: Kings beat Sharks, take series lead
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Video: Brown takes out goalie Niemi
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Video: Demers commits reckless penalty
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Video: Demers slashes Doughty, but no call made
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Video: Niemi robs Carter to preserve tie
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Video: Highlights: Wings take 3-1 series lead over 'Hawks
