A+ goaltending tandem
For the fans of Roberto Luongo, we all remember how disastrous each and every October was for the back-stopper. It was like clockwork. It’s hard to believe how bad he really was in those months, especially for a guy who retired with the third most wins ever.
That would lead some people to think it’s normal for goalies to have slow starts, and it is. That’s why it’s been so special to see Jacob Markstrom and Thatcher Demko in mid-season form under a great goaltending coach.
Markstrom is living up to his strong play in the back half of last season. Simply put, he’s stood on his head on more than one occasion and he’s had a game-changing save each and every game. If it wasn’t for a family emergency that sent him back to Sweden, Demko may have never got his chance to show his skills so early.
Demko has stepped in and has looked like a confident goalie with at least 100 starts under his belt. That’s not the case though. Demko got the nod from Green, three nights in a row which were actually his first games putting him into double digits for career starts. You wouldn’t have known otherwise.
The kid stepped into the crease and he stepped up big time. Cool, calm and collected he’s won three of four games. The only loss came at the hands of the Devils, a score of 1-0, a loss simply not on the shoulders of young, Demko.
The Swedish goaltender is back in the crease as the starting goaltender, but with Demko having better numbers, it makes you wonder when he is going to start pushing for more starts. A goaltending controversy could definitely be a thing for the Canucks in the near future.
All in all, it’s great to have two goaltenders playing so well. They are huge contributors to the team’s success early on and they will have to keep up the solid play if this franchise wants to go deep in the playoffs.
Final word
After an 0-2 start, the month of October sure turned around fast. The Canucks are arguably the hottest team in the league having won eight of their last ten games. Everything is clicking and the team is yet to run into injuries.
It’s going to be many hard-fought battles in November as the team plays 15 games in 30 nights. 10 of those 15 games are on the road and the Canucks will have to continue to bring their best each and every game. We will have a much better idea of who this team really is once November is complete, but for now, let’s enjoy the team’s successful October.