Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) hangs his head after Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin (91) scored the game-winning overtime goal in game three of the first round of the NHL playoffs at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin (91) celebrates his game-winning overtime goal against Colorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood (39) in game three of the first round of the NHL playoffs at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin (91) celebrates his game-winning overtime goal against the Colorado Avalanche with teammate Mason Marchment (27) in game three of the first round of the NHL playoffs at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Colorado Avalanche center Martin Necas (88) goes airborne going after a puck against Dallas Stars defenseman Esa Lindell (23) in the third period of game three of the first round of the NHL playoffs at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) and Dallas Stars center Sam Steel (18) face-off in the third period of game three of the first round of the NHL playoffs at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Gabriel Landsekog fan Maddie Robbins sticks a pose with a cutout of Landeskog’s head before game three of the first round of the NHL playoffs against the Dallas Stars at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
The Colorado Avalanche Celly Squad performs for patio crew at Brooklyn’s before game three of the first round of the NHL playoffs against the Dallas Stars at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
The Colorado Avalanche Celly Squad performs for patio crew at Brooklyn’s before game three of the first round of the NHL playoffs against the Dallas Stars at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Gabriel Landeskog fan, Carter Huffman, center, rides up the escalator before game three of the first round of the NHL playoffs against the Dallas Stars at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Gabriel Landsekog fans head up the escalator before game three of the first round of the NHL playoffs against the Dallas Stars at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) during warmups before game three of the first round of the NHL playoffs against the Dallas Stars at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Gabriel Landeskog fans welcome the captain back to the ice before game three of the first round of the NHL playoffs against the Dallas Stars at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) is welcomed back by fans during warmups before game three of the first round of the NHL playoffs against the Dallas Stars at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) skates past his wife, Melissa and kids, Luke, left, and Linnea during warmups before game three of the first round of the NHL playoffs against the Dallas Stars at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
A giant hammer unfurled welcoming back Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) during a tribute for him in the first period of game three of the first round of the NHL playoffs against the Dallas Stars at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) scores a goal against Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) in the first period of game three of the first round of the NHL playoffs at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) celebrates hiss gaol against Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) in the first period of game three of the first round of the NHL playoffs at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) skates the puck up ice against former teammate Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) in the first period of game three of the first round of the NHL playoffs at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) avoids a hit by Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley (55) in the first period of game three of the first round of the NHL playoffs at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar greets Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) on the bench in the second period of game three of the first round of the NHL playoffs at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Colorado Avalanche left wing Joel Kiviranta (94) hits Dallas Stars defenseman Lian Bichsel (6) into the boards in the second period of game three of the first round of the NHL playoffs at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) skates the puck against Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews (7) in the second period of game three of the first round of the NHL playoffs at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (14) scores a poor play goal against Colorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood (39) in the third period of game three of the first round of the NHL playoffs at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. Dallas Stars left wing Mason Marchment (27) joins the celebration. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Dallas Stars left wing Mason Marchment (27), Jamie Benn (14) and Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley (55) celebrate Benn’s power play goal in the third period of game three of the first round of the NHL playoffs at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
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Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) hangs his head after Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin (91) scored the game-winning overtime goal in game three of the first round of the NHL playoffs at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
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By Andy Cross | across@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED:
Getting your player ready...
The Colorado Avalanche hosted the Dallas Stars for Game 3 of their first-round NHL playoff series at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on April 23, 2025. Avalanche Captain Gabriel Landeskog returned to the ice in Ball Arena for the first time since June 26, 2022, overcoming issues with his right knee.
Colorado lost 2-1 in overtime.
