With Vancouver locking up a playoff spot weeks ago they have been taking Thatcher Demko's recovery slow but the goaltender claimed Thursday "I feel fine" and that he is a possibility to return on Saturday. The 28-year-old star netminder last appeared on March 9th and holds an impressive 34-13-2 record, 2.47 GAA and . 917 SV% on the season.
Demko has not played since March 9th due to a lower-body injury but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup. He was one of the league's top goaltenders when he went down with an injury, noticeable by his 34-13-2 record, 2.47 GAA, .917 SV% and five shutouts.
In a surprise move on Wednesday, the Vancouver Canucks have placed Thatcher Demko on LTIR retroactive to March 9th for some cap relief. The 28-year-old is first eligible to return on April 6th, so he has the potential to return before the playoffs begin on April 20th. He was one of the league's top goaltenders when he went down with injury, noticeable by his 34-13-2 record, 2.47 GAA, .917 SV% and five shutouts.
Demko exited Saturday's 5-0 victory over the Winnipeg Jets in the second period with a knee injury and did not return to the contest. While further evaluations have ensured it is not a long-term injury, Demko is expected to miss several games as his initial prognosis is 2-3 weeks. Expect Case DeSmith to tend the twine in Demko's absence.
The Canucks will turn to Demko between the pipes on Thursday in a heated divisional matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights. Demko has been inconsistent lately, winning only two of his last seven starts, but he was tremendous in his last outing, saving 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime victory against the Los Angeles Kings. The Canucks enter action as slight +102 road underdogs.
The Canucks will turn to Demko between the pipes on Thursday in a heated divisional matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights. Demko has been inconsistent lately, winning only two of his last seven starts, but he was tremendous in his last outing, saving 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime victory against the Los Angeles Kings. The Canucks enter action as slight +102 road underdogs.
Demko had the night off in the last game for the Canucks, a 2-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks, but will return to the crease in a divisional matchup against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday. Demko has lost five of his last six, allowing four or more goals three times and posting an ugly .876 SV%. The Canucks enter action with even -105 odds on the road against a Kings club that defeated them 5-1 less than a week ago.
Demko will start for the fifth straight game as the Cancuks are mired in a stretch with only one win in their last seven outings. Demko allowed four goals on 40 shots (.900 SV%) in a 4-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday and has allowed four goals in three of his last five outings (2-2-1). The Canucks enter action as -144 home favourites against a Los Angeles Kings club that has lost three of their last four (1-3-0).
Demko will likely start for the fifth straight game as the Cancuks are mired in a stretch with only one win in their last seven outings. Demko allowed four goals on 40 shots (.900 SV%) in a 4-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday and has allowed four goals in three of his last five outings (2-2-1). The Canucks enter action as -144 home favourites against a Los Angeles Kings club that has lost three of their last four (1-3-0).
Demko will make his fourth straight start on Tuesday as he expectedly takes the crease vs. Pittsburgh and looks to extend his personal win streak to two games. The 28-year-old is a deserved front-runner for this year's Vezina Trophy, with his 31-12-1 record, 2.47 GAA, .915 SV% and 5 shutouts. He will host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, who have won their last two games to remain in the playoff race but are 20th in the NHL in goals per game (2.98).
Demko will make his fourth straight start on Tuesday as he expectedly takes the crease vs. Pittsburgh and looks to extend his personal win streak to two games. The 28-year-old is a deserved front-runner for this year's Vezina Trophy, with his 31-12-1 record, 2.47 GAA, .915 SV% and 5 shutouts. He will host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, who have won their last two games to remain in the playoff race but are 20th in the NHL in goals per game (2.98).
Demko will return to the crease for the second straight game as the Canucks look to snap a three-game losing skid where they have been outscored 17-10. That said, the California-born netminder played well in a 3-1 losing effort on Tuesday, saving 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%). The Canucks are -126 road favourites in a tilt against their division rivals, the Seattle Kraken.
Demko will likely return to the crease for the second straight game as the Canucks look to snap a three-game losing skid where they have been outscored 17-10. That said, the California-born netminder played well in a 3-1 losing effort on Tuesday, saving 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%). The Canucks are -126 road favourites in a tilt against their division rivals, the Seattle Kraken.
After witnessing his team give up 10 goals as the backup in a 10-7 loss to the Minnesota Wild yesterday, the Canucks will turn to their starting goalie Demko on Tuesday night. Demko saw his three-game winning streak end in his last outing, giving up four goals on 28 shots (.857 SV%) in a 4-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. The Canucks face off against the Colorado Avalanche as +126 road underdogs in a battle of Western Conference heavyweights. Demko tended the twine against the Avalanche on November 22nd and allowed four goals on 24 shots (.833 SV%) in a 5-2 loss.
Demko will start for the third straight game on Thursday, attempting to extend his two-game winning streak. Demko has been stellar in his last two games (2-0-0), saving 52 of 56 shots (.928 SV%) and has limited the opposition to two or fewer goals in six of his last nine contests (8-1-0). The Canucks are -181 home favourites, looking for revenge against a Detroit Red Wings club that defeated them 4-3 in overtime less than a week ago.
