Avs captain Landeskog near return?

If all goes well, the Avalanche may just have captain Gabriel Landeskog back for another playoff run. Landeskog is taking another step toward playing his first NHL game in nearly three years as the Avalanche sent him on a minor league conditioning assignment Wednesday. The Avs assigned the 32-year-old Landeskog to the Colorado Eagles of the AHL. The Eagles play home games Friday and Saturday. A gritty player known for his tenacious net presence, Landeskog has been sidelined by a knee injury and subsequent surgeries since he helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022. Landeskog could be activated for Game 1 of the team’s first-round playoff series if the conditioning assignment and additional practices go well. The Avs will enter the postseason as no worse than the Central Division’s No. 3 seed. Landeskog’s injury stems back to the 2020 bubble season when he was sliced above the knee by the skate of Cale Makar in a playoff game against the Stars. Landeskog eventually underwent a cartilage transplant procedure on May 10, 2023, and has been on long-term injured reserve.

LeBron Ken doll hits shelves soon

Mattel Inc. unveiled the LeBron Ken doll on Wednesday to kick off the toy manufacturer’s “Kenbassador” series. Last year, nine female athlete Barbies, including tennis star Venus Williams, were introduced. “As a young kid, I was fortunate to have role models who not only inspired me but also showed me what’s possible through hard work and dedication,” James said. “Now, as an adult, I understand how vital it is for young people to have positive figures to look up to. That’s why partnering with Barbie is such an honor. It’s an opportunity to recognize the powerful impact of role models who instill confidence, inspire dreams, and show kids that they, too, can achieve greatness.” The LeBron doll wears sunglasses, headphones and an unzipped blue-and-white letterman’s jacket with “LJ” on the left breast, his number 23 on the right sleeve and Ohio and crown patches on the other. His first name is on the back with “Just a kid from Akron.” His T-shirt says “We Are Family,” a nod to his family’s foundation. His blue shoes, of course, are Nikes. The doll costs $75 and goes on sale Monday.

Barcelona dominant vs. Dortmund

Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski struck again to lead Barcelona to a commanding 4-0 home win over Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals on Wednesday. Lewandowski scored twice and Raphinha had a goal and an assist, leaving the Catalan club in a strong position to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2019. Lamine Yamal also scored as Barca dealt a commanding blow to the German side’s hopes of advancing. The return match is next Tuesday at Dortmund, which was last year’s runner-up. Raphinha added to his UCL-leading tally by poking the ball into the open net in the 25th minute for his 12th goal in the competition this season. He than helped set up Lewandowski’s first goal of the night in the 48th. The 36-year-old Lewandowski, above, scored his 11th UCL goal with a one-timer in the 66th before Yamal closed the scoring in the 77th. In Wednesday’s other first leg, PSG beat visitor Aston Villa 3-1. On Tuesday, Arsenal beat defending champ Real Madrid 3-0 and Inter Milan beat Bayern Munich 2-1. —Associated Press