Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko has been ruled out of Game 2 of the team’s Western Conference first-round series against the visiting Nashville Predators on Tuesday, as announced by head coach Rick Tocchet. Demko is considered day-to-day, and his current issue is unrelated to his previous knee injury. However, TSN reports that Demko’s status for the remainder of the series is questionable.
In Demko’s absence, Casey DeSmith will get the start for the Canucks on Tuesday. DeSmith comes into the game after helping the Canucks secure a 4-2 victory over the Predators in the series opener on Sunday.
Demko, 28, made 20 saves in Game 1. He had missed a significant portion of the regular season due to a knee injury but returned for the final two games. During the 2023-24 season, Demko had a career year, posting a 35-14-2 record with five shutouts, a 2.45 goals-against average, and a .918 save percentage in 51 starts.
Meanwhile, DeSmith, 32, went 12-9-6 with a 2.89 GAA and .895 save percentage in 29 appearances (27 starts) this season. He will look to continue his solid play and help the Canucks take a 2-0 lead in the series.
