Canucks’ Thatcher Demko to miss Game 2, status for rest of series unclear

Head coach Rick Tocchet told the media Casey DeSmith will be starting on Tuesday night.

“We’re not looking for him to be spectacular,” Tocchet said. “We’re looking for him to be Casey.”

Demko gave up two goals on 24 shots in Game 1 on Sunday night, helping the Canucks get the early advantage over the Predators with a 4-2 win. It was his first playoff experience since the second round of the 2020 playoffs, when Vancouver fell to the Vegas Golden Knights.

There were no signs that the 28-year-old was injured during the series opener, but questions arose as Demko was absent from the team’s morning skate on Tuesday after he skated on Monday.

Demko had been healthy for most of the regular season until a knee injury on March 9 kept him out of the lineup for over a month, and Vancouver placed him on long-term injured reserve. The San Diego native returned to make two starts before the postseason, making 40 saves in a win against the Calgary Flames on April 16.

No official injury has been disclosed, but Tocchet revealed that his current injury is unrelated to his knee. He said Demko will be evaluated some time on Tuesday to determine the extent of his ailment.

During the 2022-23 campaign, Demko had been hampered by injuries, mostly lower-body, with the Boston College product being limited to just 32 games.

This year, Demko posted a 35-14-2 record in 51 starts, with a 2.45 goals-against average, a .918 save percentage and five shutouts. His play helped the Canucks clinch a division title for the first time in 11 years.

In 219 career appearances, Demko is 116-81-17 with a 2.79 GAA, a .912 SV%, and eight shutouts.