Canucks star goalie Thatcher Demko unavailable for Game 2: coach

By The Canadian Press on April 23, 2024.

Nashville Predators' Jeremy Lauzon, front left, collides with Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko (35) as Phillip Di Giuseppe (34) and Teddy Blueger (53) defend during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, in Vancouver, on Sunday, April 21, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

VANCOUVER – The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.

Coach Rick Tocchet says Demko is “day-to-day” and will be evaluated later today.

He will be replaced in net by back-up Casey DeSmith.

Demko, 28, stopped 20 shots for the Canucks in a 4-2 Game 1 victory on Sunday.

Demko missed a month after suffering a knee injury on March 9, but returned for Vancouver’s two final games of the regular season and finished the campaign a 35-14-2 record, a .918 save percentage and five shutouts.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 23, 2024.