Colorado Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog has ramped up his skating, fostering optimism about his recovery, though no specific timeline is available yet. Teammate Jonathan Drouin exited the latest game early due to a lower-body injury. Meanwhile, Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen approaches two months post-knee surgery, eyeing a return possibly in the first round of the playoffs if the Stars face the Avalanche. In Minnesota, Kirill Kaprizov is traveling but won’t play until at least the team's next practice. San Jose Sharks' Shakir Mukhamadullin suffered a hit that raised concerns about his availability, while Filip Chytil of the Vancouver Canucks is dealing with concussion symptoms, casting doubt on his return this season.

Calgary Flames forward Mikael Backlund has resumed skating after missing five consecutive games due to an upper-body injury. Flames' coach Ryan Huska is uncertain about Backlund's readiness for tonight's lineup, stating that they need to assess his reaction post-practice. Meanwhile, defenseman MacKenzie Weegar is expected to return tomorrow after dealing with a lower-body issue.

In other news, Colorado Avalanche winger Gabriel Landeskog is back on the ice and progressing well. The Columbus Blue Jackets welcomed Erik Gudbranson back into the lineup after a shoulder injury, while the Dallas Stars' Tyler Seguin is set to ramp up skating activities as he recovers.

Gabriel Landeskog of the Colorado Avalanche participated in practice as he continues his recovery from a right knee cartilage transplant surgery. While he hasn't engaged in contact drills yet, coach Jared Bednar noted that Landeskog is progressing, albeit with ups and downs typical of recovery timelines. Meanwhile, Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen's readiness for the playoffs remains uncertain after surgery, and Tyler Seguin is expected back soon. The Minnesota Wild are still managing injuries to Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek as neither appears close to returning. Additionally, Montreal Canadiens' Josh Anderson is battling an undisclosed injury but has not missed any games.

Andrei Svechnikov is making a promising return for the Carolina Hurricanes after missing three games due to an upper-body injury. Coach Rod Brind'Amour indicated that Svechnikov practiced yesterday and could potentially play on Thursday, highlighting that his participation in practice is a positive sign.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Landeskog of the Colorado Avalanche has also made progress, participating fully in practice for the first time. This is an encouraging development as he continues to recover, with plans to travel with the team and skate during their upcoming road games. In contrast, the Avalanche are awaiting further evaluations on Josh Manson’s injury, while the Minnesota Wild deal with day-to-day updates on several players including Jonas Brodin, Kirill Kaprizov, and Joel Eriksson Ek.

Gabe Landeskog's recent return to the Colorado Avalanche's locker room marks a significant milestone in his recovery journey. The captain participated in practice for the first time since the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, engaging in non-contact drills. Though he jested about playing in Toronto, his presence is a hopeful sign as he continues to recover from knee surgery. Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar noted Landeskog's positive spirits and progress, despite the non-linear path of rehabilitation.

Landeskog has faced a long road back, with setbacks including a torn patella tendon. As the team prepares for Saturday's game in Montreal, it will be nearly 1,000 days since he last played. Despite recent statements suggesting he might miss the regular season, Landeskog remains optimistic about returning for the 2025 playoffs. The Avalanche’s management and coaching staff continue to support his journey, with Bednar highlighting the invaluable energy Landeskog brings to the ice.