Canucks top goalie Thatcher Demko out for at least Game 2

Vancouver Canucks beginning goalie Thatcher Demko sat out Tuesday’s 4-1 loss to the Nashville Predators in Game 2 and is questionable for the remainder of the sequence.

Coach Rick Tocchet stated Demko had a brand new damage that was unrelated to the lower-body damage that put Demko out of the Canucks’ lineup in March. Tocchet labeled Demko’s standing as “day to day.”

Demko, 28, was one of many top goaltenders within the NHL this season. He appeared in 51 video games, going 35-14-2 with a .918 save share and a 2.45 goals-against common that included 5 shutouts. He was first within the NHL in objectives saved above anticipated per sport (0.39) and is anticipated to be a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, given to the NHL’s top goalie annually. He was a key purpose the Canucks went from twenty fifth within the NHL in staff protection final season to sixth general this season.

Demko made 22 saves within the Canucks’ 4-2 Game 1 win over the Predators, together with 11-of-11 within the third interval.

Casey DeSmith, Vancouver’s major backup goalie, bought the beginning Tuesday and stopped 12 of 15 pictures within the loss.

DeSmith, 32, had one earlier profession playoff look, and it was a memorable one. He stopped 48 of 51 pictures towards the New York Rangers in Game 1 of Pittsburgh’s 2022 first-round playoff sequence, earlier than leaving the sport within the second additional time with an damage. DeSmith would have surgical procedure to finish his postseason after the Penguins’ triple-OT win.