Canucks’ Thatcher Demko Returns From Injury, Starts Against Devils
Goaltender thatcher Demko returned from injured reserve and started for the Vancouver Canucks against the New jersey Devils on Monday. His return comes after recovering from a lower-body injury sustained last month.
Demko’s road to Recovery
Demko’s most recent injury occurred on Feb. 8 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, a game he left early in the first period. He had been a Vezina Trophy finalist last season.
He participated in a full team practice Sunday, marking his first since the injury. Prior to that, he had taken part in a few morning skates as the Canucks embarked on their six-game road trip, which began March 20.
Tocchet’s Confidence in Demko
“Listen, he’s a world-class goalie and he’s had some bad luck,” Canucks coach Rick Tocchet said. “He’s really worked on certain things on his body that he’s trying to figure out, and he’s starting to get healthy and putting that base together. So, he’s itching to go. I wish we had a couple more practices for him,but we’re in a spot right now,but he’s healthy enough to play. So, anytime he’s healthy, you’re going to go with him.”
Injury-Plagued Season for Canucks’ Goalie
This season has been riddled with injuries for Demko. Prior to the lower-body injury, he missed training camp and the first 24 games due to a knee injury suffered during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, which began on April 21. He also missed two games in January after leaving a game against the Seattle Kraken with back spasms.
so far this season, Demko has a 6-6-3 record with a 2.87 goals-against average and a .891 save percentage across 17 games.
Demko’s Outlook
“I feel good,” Demko said Sunday,acknowledging the challenges of finding practice time late in the season. “I mean, it’s that time of year where practices are kind of hard to come by. A lot of tight games, emotions are high, and rest is a weapon this time of year. So, I’m just trying to find the repetitions when I can get them, and weather that’s been helping out for morning skates or luckily, today, we had a full team skate, to get out there for that, I felt good.”
Pettersson and Hoglander Out With Injuries
Forwards Elias Pettersson and Nils Hoglander were also sidelined, missing Monday’s game due to undisclosed injuries sustained during Saturday’s loss against the New York Rangers. Both players have returned to Vancouver and will not participate in the remainder of the road trip.
Canucks’ Roster Depleted
The Canucks (32-26-12) are also without center Filip Chytil, who is dealing with an upper-body injury and did not travel with the team on the six-game road trip.
With a history of injuries this season,what specific steps can teh Vancouver Canucks take to ensure Thatcher Demko’s long-term health and maximize his availability for the playoff push?
Canucks’ Thatcher Demko Returns: Your Burning Questions Answered
Get the lowdown on Thatcher Demko’s return,injuries plaguing the Canucks,and what it all means for their playoff push.
- Q: Who is Thatcher Demko?
- A: He’s the vancouver Canucks’ star goaltender, a Vezina trophy finalist last season, known for his skill and athleticism. He’s critical to the team’s success.
- Q: What injury did Demko have this time?
- A: A lower-body injury, sustained on February 8th against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
- Q: How has this season been for Demko injury-wise?
- A: Rough. He missed training camp and the first 24 games due to a knee injury from the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He also missed two games in January with back spasms.
- Q: What’s demko’s record and stats this season?
- A: Before his return, he had a 6-6-3 record with a 2.87 goals-against average and an .891 save percentage across 17 games.
- Q: What did Canucks’ coach Rick Tocchet say about Demko?
- A: He expressed confidence in Demko, calling him “world-class” and highlighting his dedication to getting healthy.Tocchet emphasized he would play demko when healthy.
- Q: Who else is injured for the Canucks?
- A: Forwards Elias Pettersson and Nils Hoglander are out with undisclosed injuries, and center Filip Chytil is sidelined with an upper-body injury.
- Q: where are the Canucks at in the standings?
- A: As of the article publication, the Canucks had a 32-26-12 record.
- Q: What does Demko need to focus on to stay healthy for the rest of the season?
- A: Demko has mentioned the need to find repetitions when possible, especially with limited practice time. he also needs to prioritize rest, which becomes crucial during the intense final stretch of the season.
- Q: What is the Vezina Trophy?
- A: The Vezina Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey league’s (NHL) goaltender who is considered the best at his position.
With Demko back and the playoffs on the horizon, the Canucks will need to stay healthy and finish strong. Stay tuned for more updates on the team’s progress!
