Gabriel Landeskog Has Captainy Game for the Colorado Avalanche
Yes, I am aware that captainy is not a word, but there’s not another way to describe the way Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog played against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
First, the stats. Landeskog had a three-point night. The Colorado Avalanche scored three goals against the Penguins, and Landeskog had a hand in all three. In fact, the third was his, a timely goal that sealed the deal that the Avalanche were going to win.
The other two goals were just as big. He assisted on center Nathan MacKinnon’s goal, which turned out to be the game-winner. Landeskog even scored a power play point, assisting on winger Jarome Iginla’s tally. You know the Avs have had power play woes, so it feels good to get such a score.
Likewise, the Avalanche beat the Pittsburgh Penguins. This is something they haven’t managed to do much in recent years. Prior to tonight, the Avalanche had only won one game against the Penguins in the last seven match ups, going back to the 2009-10 season. And so much of tonight’s win was because of Gabriel Landeskog.
The Iginla power play goal came just 13 seconds into the second period. Landeskog fed the puck to Iginla in their own zone. Iginla powered up the ice and released a bomb of a shot that beat Penguins goalie Marc Andre Fleury to put the Avs on the board first.
Side note: Because the Avalanche scored within the first 30 seconds of the second period, some lucky Avs fan won a new truck.
MacKinnon’s game-winning goal came later in the same period. Landeskog passed the puck to Avalanche defenseman Jan Hejda. Hejda waited just long enough for MacKinnon to get into position in front of the net then set him up for the tip-in.
Landy’s goal was one for the highlight reels. It started with intense heat in the Avalanche zone. Penguins star forward Yevgeni Malkin had just scored, and Pittsburgh was putting on the pressure. Center Ryan O’Reilly stole the puck and drove toward the offensive zone. Just before Landy crossed into the Penguins’ zone, O’Reilly passed him the puck.
Penguins defenseman Derrick Pouliot was tight on Landeskog. He looked good for boxing Landy out. However, Landy freed himself just enough to cut in sharply to the front of the net. He unleashed a beautiful wrist shot that just flat beat Fleury.
In the post game presser, head coach Patrick Roy said of the play:
"“That was a heck of a move. He made a real nice move in front of Pouliot. It was a great play by him.”"
A side note about situations surrounding the Penguins game. Iginla recorded his 20th goal of the season — he now has 16 seasons with 20+ goals. The night also marked Alex Tanguay’s 1,000th NHL game.
The Pittsburgh game was also the Avalanche’s first game since the intense game against the Minnesota Wild. In that game, at the very end, Landeskog whacked Wild captain Mikku Koivu at the end of a heated exchange. Because both players were on the bench, Landekog was ejected from the game.
Just yesterday, Landeskog got the news that the NHL Department of Player Safety was fining him $5,000 for the play. Coach Patrick Roy stated he was disappointed by the decision and that he hadn’t see the play. Jokingly he said:
"“If there was [a punch] I didn’t see it. Five grand — he should have hit him.”"
I, for one, think it was money well spent. Minnesota has a nasty hockey team with nasty fans.
That said, as if the Avs Nation didn’t already have our captain in our hearts after his play in the Penguins game, he titillated us with his first-star interview. He called it all a team effort. When asked if the team could take anything away from that night’s game moving forward, a little twinkle entered Landy’s eye as he remarked the Avs had a lot of games to win, and…
"“We’re going to go balls out all the way.”"
And that’s why Gabriel Landeskog is the captain. Whether it’s a punch, goal or quip, his timing is impeccable.
Next: Fallout From the Avs-Wild Game
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