Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko injured, will not play Game 2

Vancouver Canucks starting goaltender Thatcher Demko will not play in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Tuesday.

According to Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, “Demko is questionable for the rest of the series.”

Canucks Head Coach Rick Tocchet says Demko skated on Monday, but adds the netminder will not play in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Nashville Predators.

The team is set to evaluate Demko Tuesday, though Tocchet confirms the goalie is not dealing with the same injury that caused him to miss 14 games at the end of the regular season.

Tocchet says Casey DeSmith will be in net Tuesday. Apart from that, he says no other lineup changes will be made.

“I’m real confident, I love his demeanor, very well liked guy. Anytime you get in the playoffs, there’s stories. He’s looking forward to being a contributor to this team. We expect the way he’s played all year for us, really solid hockey. We’re not looking for him to be spectacular, we’re looking for him to be Casey,” the coach said during a briefing Tuesday morning.

Sportsnet 650 play-by-play announcer Brendan Batchelor notes this will be DeSmith’s second career playoff game. In his first on May 3, 2022, he points out DeSmith made 48 saves on 51 shots for the Pittsburg Penguins against the New York Rangers before leaving in double overtime due to injury.

Following a knee injury, Demko returned after over a month on the sidelines for the last two games of the regular season.

He also played in Game 1 of the playoffs on Sunday, at Rogers Arena, making 20 saves to help push the Canucks to a 4-2 win.

Prior to his return post-injury, Demko had said it was a team effort to get him back into game shape.

“The last four weeks have been double sessions coming in, and again, like I said, I really appreciate the staff matching my determination to get back,” he said. “I’m asking a lot of them.”

-With files from Michael Williams