The Vancouver Canucks could be getting their starting netminder back sooner than expected.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that goalie Thatcher Demko is a possibility to start for Vancouver in Monday's game against the New Jersey Devils.
Demko, who has been out since Feb. 8 with a lower-body injury, took part in a full practice on Sunday for the first time since going down with the injury.
Kevin Lankinen, who has stepped up for the Canucks this season as Demko dealt with various maladies, was not feeling well during Saturday's loss to the New York Rangers, per head coach Rick Tocchet.
Vancouver's other goalie, Arturs Silvos, last played on March 15 against the Chicago Blackhawks.
The 29-year-old Demko has played in just 17 games this season, recording a 2.87 goals-against average and .891 save percentage.
In 2023-24, Demko finished as the runner-up for the Vezina Trophy after going 35-14-2 with a .918 save percentage and 2.45 GAA.
Vancouver will enter Monday five points back of a playoff spot after the St. Louis Blues beat the Nashville Predators earlier Sunday. The Canucks have 12 games remaining on their schedule to chase down the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
COMMENTS
When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.