Canucks: 6 players that exceeded expectations this season

Jacob Markstrom is a top-five goaltender

Markstrom was often the first star this year. Building off of a season where he was named the team MVP some people thought to be lucky, the 30-year-old Swede did it all again. But he did it even better and solidified himself as a seriously good netminder in the NHL.

Carrying the Canucks on his back, Markstrom posted the greatest save percentage of his 10-year career (0.918 SV%). Through 43 games played, he earned 23 wins and often faced 30+ shots on a nightly basis. In fact, the more shots he turned down, the better his results became. He posted an incredible 8-0-1 record when facing 40 or more shots. No other goalie even came close.

Markstrom added “All-Star” to his evergrowing resume this season when he was selected to replace Marc-Andre Fleury for the ASG weekend. In my mind, it was shameful that the NHL didn’t have him selected to begin with, and it made it feel like more of a popularity contest. Pettersson and Hughes (who both got selected) had impressive campaigns up until the selection process, but Markstrom was the star. He’ll have a line-up of teams trying to acquire his services in the offseason.

Thatcher Demko is ready to be No. 1

The 2020 NHL Playoffs were filled with breathtaking moments, but Thatcher Demko stole the spotlight in his three games played versus the Vegas Golden Knights. Inserted into the goal after Markstrom was announced “unfit to play”, people quickly began to wonder why he wasn’t the “go-to goaltender” earlier.

He posted average numbers in his first full season as a backup, but he came ready to play when it mattered most. Down and out against Vegas by a series score of 3-1, Demko stood on his head and somehow managed to force a Game 7.

In four days and three games, Demko stopped 123 of 125 total shots. Numbers that have honestly never been seen by any rookie goaltender in recent memory, if at all. He let in only one goal in a 42-save Game 5. Then he broke the record for most saves by a rookie in regulation while facing elimination in his first-ever shutout. He turned away all 48 pucks.

Less than 24 hours later, Demko turned away 35 of 36 shots in Game 7. He did everything he could to earn that fourth win versus Vegas, but unfortunately, he was the only player to show up.

When the dust settled, Demko was congratulated by not only his teammates but his opponents as well. He frustrated the Knights to no end and he was the first star of all three of the Canucks final games. The Demko Show has only just begun.

Conclusion

The Vancouver Canucks season may not have ended the way they wanted it to, but don’t doubt for a second that this team wasn’t remarkable. The Canucks gained valuable experience and pushed the limits of what they are capable of accomplishing.

A berth in the NHL Playoffs will be expected for years to come now, and Vancouver is ready for that type of responsibility. Lots of question marks remain heading into this very strange offseason, but Vancouver will come back ready to build on what they have created.