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Canucks: Is Thatcher Demko or Brock Boeser the team’s MVP?

By Joshua Rey

Mar 13, 2021; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko (35) and forward Brock Boeser (6) celebrate the Canucks victory over the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2021; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko (35) and forward Brock Boeser (6) celebrate the Canucks victory over the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports /
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Thatcher Demko of the Vancouver Canucks. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
Thatcher Demko of the Vancouver Canucks. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /

The case for Thatcher Demko

If it weren’t for Demko, this Canucks season would be a whole lot worse. He has really turned up his game especially for the month of March with an 8-1-0 run and a 1.74 goals-against average (2.66 season total) and .950 save percentage (9.21 season total).

Demko is in some elite company when it comes to save percentage above expected for starting goalies.

The man they called “Bubble Demko” after the 2020 playoffs is living up to his nickname. In fact, he doesn’t even need to be called that anymore because he is proving Bubble Demko is the real deal and not just a one-time thing.

Demko has pretty much become what Jacob Markstrom was to the Canucks last season, (Markstrom was named Team MVP), and maybe even better. Vancouver ranks 30th in shots against with per game with 33.6 and is dead last with an expected goals against per game of 3.39. They are also 29th in slot chances against per game with 16.1 and are 30th in rush chances against per game with 7.2.  The Canucks are a poor team defensively and thanks to Demko and his heroics, the Canucks are still in the playoff hope despite their chances being quite slim.

Demko doesn’t look fazed in net and is making great saves left and right. With the way he is playing, you have to wonder if he should at least get a nomination for the Vezina trophy.

Like Markstrom last year, Demko has kept the Canucks in games and given them the chance to win even though they don’t really deserve the victory.

The Verdict

Boeser has been the most consistent Canucks while Demko’s play has given the team a chance to win every game.

It is quite the tough call because both players have been two of the best Canucks this season. If I had to make the call right now it would be Boeser over Demko by a hair.

Even though Demko is becoming more of a fortress than the Great Wall of China at the moment, he did start off slow which included a .888 save percentage in February.

As for Boeser, he has been scoring at a rate that’s similar to his rookie season and has made his playmaking and two-way game better. He has been doing so against tough competition and has been scoring consistently all season. Nothing against Demko but since the start of the season, Boeser has scored plenty of goals and points in all situations and hasn’t slowed down.

Next. Canucks Recap: Three stars of the week (Mar 13th – 19th). dark

Let us know in the comments who you think is the Canucks MVP this season!

*Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick, NHL.Com and Sportsnet.

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