If Ross Colton is unable to play in Game 2 on Monday, the Colorado Avalanche might bring back their captain for his long-awaited comeback.
Colton sustained a lower-body injury during the Avalanche`s 5-1 victory over the Dallas Stars in Game 1 of their first-round series on Saturday.
The center, in his second year with the team, left the game in the third period and did not return.
Head coach Jared Bednar told reporters on Sunday that while there was no update on Colton`s condition, Gabriel Landeskog is being considered as a replacement if Colton is unavailable.
When asked if Landeskog was ready to play if needed, Bednar simply answered `yes`.
Coach Bednar had mentioned on Friday that Landeskog was `an option` for Game 1, but ultimately decided against playing him on Saturday.
Landeskog rejoined the Avalanche for practice earlier this week after playing two games on a rehab assignment in the AHL.
The Swedish player has been struggling with knee injuries for the past three years, requiring two surgeries. His last NHL game was in Game 6 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final, when Colorado defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Landeskog, a Stanley Cup winner with Colorado, has played 738 NHL games in his 11 seasons, scoring 248 goals and 323 assists for a total of 571 points, with a plus-77 rating.
The Avalanche are aiming to take a 2-0 series lead on Monday night in Dallas against the Stars. The game is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT.
Tristan Blackwood