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Canucks: Thatcher Demko could get the start tonight

By Brayden Ursel

EDMONTON, ALBERTA - AUGUST 23: Jacob Markstrom #25 of the Vancouver Canucks is pulled from the nets during the third period against the Vegas Golden Knights and is replaced by Thatcher Demko #35 in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on August 23, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, ALBERTA - AUGUST 23: Jacob Markstrom #25 of the Vancouver Canucks is pulled from the nets during the third period against the Vegas Golden Knights and is replaced by Thatcher Demko #35 in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on August 23, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images) /
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The Vancouver Canucks are on the brink of elimination vs. the Vegas Golden Knights and could quite possibly turn to Thatcher Demko for help.

The Vancouver Canucks find themselves in a hole, and that hole just got a whole lot deeper. News has surfaced that the team MVP and starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom is a little banged up and that rookie backup Thatcher Demko could get the nod for Game 5.

Reported by Rick Dhaliwal and TSN Radio Vancouver, Markstrom has suffered some type of lower-body injury and that Demko will get some serious consideration by Travis Green. However, more information should follow depending on how Markstrom is feeling today during the gameday skate.

If this is true, the Canucks lose their Most Valuable Player in a very critical part of this series. After back-to-back series wins versus the Minnesota Wild and the St. Louis Blues, Vancouver finds themselves down 3-1 against the top-seed in the Western Conference and could really use their star goaltender to help bail them out.

Despite valiant efforts from the Canucks’ best players, the Vegas Golden Knights have proven to be too much to handle up to this point. As crazy as it sounds, maybe a change in goal is exactly what this team needs to crawl back into this best-of-seven. And that’s no knock against the 30-year-old Swede (he’s been incredible), but sometimes a hungry rookie goaltender can surprise people. Just look at what Jordan Binnington accomplished just one year ago.

If Demko does get the start, it’s a huge opportunity for him to prove himself, and for the Canucks organization to get a good look at what he is capable of on the grandest stage of hockey against a powerhouse opponent. The salary cap will be an issue for Vancouver next season, and if Demko can somehow steal some spotlight in this series, he may give management some serious things to consider this upcoming offseason.

In Markstrom’s extended absence this season, Demko held his own on two separate occasions. Once when Markstrom flew back to Sweden to attend a private family matter. And again when Markstrom went down with a knee injury.

He’s proved he can handle being the team’s go-to guy when counted on, but he’s never been tested in the NHL Playoffs. In 37 career games played (34 starts), Demko holds a 0.906 SV%, 3.02 GAA, and a total of 18 wins.

Knowing coach Green, an answer to who’s in goal tonight won’t likely happen until the puck is dropped to start Game 5. Either way, Demko and Markstrom will be ready to play their part.

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The Canucks will be desperate to find the win and all the pressure is on Vegas to close out this series. The game starts at 6:45 PM Pacific time. Get your popcorn ready folks and enjoy it. It’s been one heck of a ride. Hopefully, it’s not over yet.

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