Colorado Avalanche: Comparing Gabriel Landeskog and Matthew Tkachuk

Despite the regular-season standings, the Colorado Avalanche and Calgary Flames are well-matched. You see that in an unlikely matchup.

The Colorado Avalanche are battling the Calgary Flames in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Western Conference champion Flames are heavily favored to win the series. However, you play the games because the regular season doesn’t dictate the outcome.

As we move through the series, we’ll be seeing a lot of storylines play out. Indeed, we might directly see a matchup of Avs captain Gabriel Landeskog and checking line mainstay Matthew Tkachuk.

It’s funny to match Colorado’s 26-year-old captain and All Star Gabe Landeskog with Calgary’s 21-year-old agitator. However, they’ll probably see a lot of each other — and come to hate each other — in this series. So, let’s see how they compare.

Gabriel Landeskog

Our captain, besides being one of the best captains in the NHL, skated on the top line this year. And make no mistake, he was an integral part of that top line.

In fact, Landeskog had a career year. He recorded his first-ever 30-goal season, topping out at 34. He had a career-best 41 assists and career-best total points, 75. He also made the All Star team.

Our captain was a wizard at scoring third-period goals. Not surprisingly, Landeskog led the team in game-winning goals with nine. He was als second on the team for shooting percentage, 14%, and third on the team for faceoffs, 52.22% (Sam Girard took and won a single faceoff — we’re not going to count that,)

Also, you know, Gabe is our captain.

Matthew Tkachuk

Checking liner Matthew Tkachuk is not in the Flames’ leadership committee. However, like Gabe, the 21-year-old Matthew had a career year. He recorded 34 goals and 43 assists for 77 points. His previous two seasons, he topped out at 40+ points.

Tkachuk recorded and impressive 11 power play goals. He also recorded a less-impressive two game-winning goals. No shade — just stating the facts.

Tkachuck had 62 penalty minutes to our captain’s 51, and that’s part of the reason I’m comparing these two players.

Full Comparison

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Both Gabriel Landeskog and Matthew Tkachuk are power forwards. However, Landeskog is our All Star captain, while Tkachuck is a checking liner.

Matthew is scouted as an aggressive scoring winger with a nose for the net and enough size (6-foot-2, 202 pounds) to produce high quality in the NHL. He is, of course, the son of HHOFer Keith Tkachuk.

Gabe’s father Tony was a mainstay in the Swedish Hockey League, not the NHLl. However, Gabe’s a power forward with preternatural leadership abilities. At the time of his promotion, he was the youngest-ever NHL captain. He’s also an All Star in his own right.

Looking at advanced stats from this year, they’re well-matched:

Goals per Game:

Tkachuk: 0.43
Landekskog: 0.47

Assists per Game:

Tkachuk: 0.54
Landekskog: 0.56

Points per Game:

Tkachuk: 0.96
Landekskog: 1.03

CorsiFor:

Tkachuk: 57
Landekskog: 52.5

CorsiFor Relative:

Tkachuk: 4.6
Landekskog: 3.8

=/-:

Tkachuk: +14
Landekskog: +17

Of course, the big comparison to be made between these two players is the brattiness factor. So far in this series, more of it is coming out from Tkachuk. Unfortunately, so is the scoring, but let’s not focus on that.

Or let’s do focus on that. Scoring and general offensive acumen is where Landeskog can ultimately shine. What’s more, he’s a leader, the heart and soul of the team.

And my money is on Landy if it does come down to the rough stuff.

We’ll get to see round two not only of the first round series between the two teams, but between these two players tonight. The Colorado Avalanche didn’t have the best showing in Game 1, but I’m confident our captain will lead the way in Game 2.