The Colorado Avalanche are ready for the Stanley Cup final.
And Gabriel Landeskog was, to say the least, one of the main characters.
The Swede accounted for three points when Colorado secured its first final place – in 21 years.
The Colorado Avalanche has been building a real super team for a few years, and tonight came the day that the stars have been waiting for. It was 21 years ago that Avalanche was last in the Stanley Cup final – but last night they had to celebrate being conference champions, after a big drama against the Edmonton Oilers.
Three points tonight
Avalanche was in the lead in the series against the Oilers, with 3-0, before tonight’s match, and it has thus not been very exciting during the series. But the Oilers refused for a long time, and actually looked to take the series at least to a fifth game. But that did not happen – and Gabriel Landeskog was, to say the least, at the center of events.
The Avalanche team captain has been dominant at times during this year’s playoffs, and last night he stepped forward when it mattered most. Landeskog played until the goal that reduced the match to 2-3, and he then reduced himself to 3-4. With five minutes left of the match, the Swede was noted for another assist, then when Colorado took the lead with 5-4. The match, however, went to extra time, but there Colorado was able to decide and secure their final place.
Impressive result
Gabriel Landeskog’s three points last night means that he accounted for a total of an impressive 17 points in 14 games played, which is enough for a ninth place in this year’s playoff scoring. Landeskog also had to lift the dent afterwards, which confirmed that Colorado is the champion in the western conference – but they are far from satisfied.
The Stanley Cup final – the first since 2001 – is now awaiting against either the New York Rangers or the Tampa Bay Lightning. In that series, Rangers leads 2-1, ahead of the night’s fourth match between the teams. It is at least clear that Gabriel Landeskog will meet a Swedish superstar, in the form of either Mika Zibanejad or Victor Hedman.
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