Canucks Recap: Three stars of the week (Feb 20th – 26th)

1. Thatcher Demko

Thatcher Demko came ready to play.

For the past week, Demko has had to stand on his head between the pipes as his teammates continue to struggle. According to Natural Stat Trick, the Canucks currently hold the title for some of the worst analytical categories in the league, including total shot attempts allowed (599), high danger scoring chances allowed (232), and total number of goals allowed off of high danger scoring chances (54), and it’s not even a close competition.

The team continues to give up legitimate scoring chances on almost every shift, and their defensive breakdowns and inconsistencies don’t discriminate between even strength, the penalty kill or the powerplay.

Opponents are chomping at the bit when the Canucks enter the neutral zone, knowing very well that a small, non-threatening amount of pressure will most likely lead to a turnover or poor decision, and the team has had to rely on Demko to bail them out multiple times as a result.

Demko started three of the four home games against the Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers this past week, facing a total of 92 shots over that span, and he was easily the team’s most consistent player on the ice. He has shown numerous flashes of his dominant bubble performance, and, quite frankly, is the only reason that his team isn’t getting blown out on the scoresheet each and every night.

Head coach Travis Green hasn’t officially given the starter title to the 25-year-old sophomore, with Braden Holtby still making occasional appearances in the crease, but it’s time for Green to ride the hot hand.

Time and time again, Demko has been able to fend off relentless pressure from the opposition, coming up with timely saves and stopping the momentum from completely swinging in the other direction.

He has been an integral factor on the penalty kill, and is one of the key reasons that the team holds the 11th-best shorthanded percentage in the league with 80.7%.

Quite frankly, he is the lone Canuck that can maintain his composure in these unforgiving times, and all he can do is helplessly watch as the rest of the team drowns around him.

Like all netminders, Demko still needs to improve upon some of his fundamental skills, and would always benefit from more practice time with highly-renowned goalie coach Ian Clark.

But, despite those small criticisms, there is no doubt that Demko has earned his ice time, and the coaching staff need to realize that the Canucks have a much higher chance of securing two points when Demko is between the pipes.