The Colorado Avalanche are having another excellent regular season in 2021-2022. They have been atop the western conference for most of the season and have clinched home ice throughout the western conference playoffs. With just three games remaining in the season, Colorado has 116 points, four behind the Florida Panthers for the President's Trophy.
On Tuesday, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar provided an update to the media on both Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog. The Athletic's Peter Baugh captured his comments.
Mikko Rantanen is alive, per Jared Bednar. He and Gabriel Landeskog skated this morning before the team skate. Landeskog is expected to be back for Game 1 of the first round but likely not before then.
Devon Toews will return to the lineup. Logan O'Connor is back in for Meyers.
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) April 26, 2022
Bednar jokingly let the media know that Rantanen is alive. The Avalanche forward has missed the last three games with a non-COVID related illness. Rantanen has been a big part of Colorado's success this year. He is having a career year, posting 36 goals and 55 assists for a career-high 91 points.
Meanwhile, Landeskog's situation has been much more serious. He underwent knee surgery early last month. According to Bednar, the Avalanche captain skated Tuesday morning and is expected to return for Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs. However, he is not expected back before that.
It's not often you see a player being announced specifically as ready for the postseason but not before. This has to bring into question how effective Landeskog will be upon his return. He has not played since March 10th in a loss to Carolina.
Prior to his injury, the Avalanche veteran had 30 goals and 29 assists. Part of the strength of this Colorado team is their depth. They have eight players with at least 50 points this season, led by Rantanen.
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