Canucks: Is Thatcher Demko’s first shutout a sign of what’s to come?
The Vancouver Canucks recorded their first shutout victory of the season last night. It also happened to be the first time in his career that Thatcher Demko stopped every shot he faced inside a 60-minute game.
Hard to believe he didn’t record a shutout during his incredible performance inside the Edmonton playoff bubble last summer… oh wait a minute… he did. But this time, Demko shut the door for the first time in a regular-season game and it was against the Winnipeg Jets. He stopped all 27 shots he faced on Monday night in his 52nd regular-season game.
Clearly, Demko is playing with some much-needed confidence. In his last 12 starts, No. 35 has posted a save percentage above 0.939% six times, including a 42 save performance where he allowed just a single goal against.
His save percentage on the season isn’t exactly where a coach would want his starting goalie to be (0.907%), but it’s been slowly climbing in a positive direction as the season rolls forward. If he can keep his save percentage above 0.920% like he has been over the past dozen games, he’ll lock up the starting role and help the best he can in getting the Canucks get back into the playoff picture.
But that’s just it. Has he officially taken the starting role from veteran netminder, Braden Holtby or is it still too early to tell? Judging by the number of starts each goaltender has received (Demko 15 – Holtby 10), and by the way Demko has performed lately, it appears the answer could be yes.
At least for now, Travis Green has made his decision on who he believes gives the Canucks the best chance at winning. And seeing as how Vancouver is just three games shy of the midway mark of the season and heavily trailing in the standings… it might make a bit of sense for Green to ride one goalie to the finish line. Especially considering the brilliance of Demko’s game right now.
Next. Canucks: Rathbone is having a terrific start to his first AHL season. dark
Demko has emerged as the goaltender to beat in Vancouver. Is it time for him to own the crease completely? Is it Demko time? What do you think Canucks fans? Let us know in the comment section below! And don’t miss tonight’s action as Vancouver battles Winnipeg again at 5 p.m. Pacific time.