Vancouver Canucks all-star goaltender Thatcher Demko will be out week to week with a lower-body injury, head coach Rick Tocchet confirmed to reporters Tuesday.
When it comes to Demko’s status for the playoffs, Tocchet added that he’s “not worried at all” and expects Demko to be back in time for their post-season run.
Demko left Saturday’s 5-0 win over the Winnipeg Jets during a commercial break in the second period. The Canucks have not publicly disclosed what the injury is, other than it being a lower-body injury.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on 32 Thoughts: The Podcast Monday the injury is not believed to be to Demko’s groin.
“I don’t know exactly what is going on here but I don’t think it’s his groin,” Friedman said. “From what I understand it’s not disastrous and it’s probably even better for Vancouver that they’re going to be forced to rest him for a little bit.”
Demko missed three months last season with a groin injury but this season has been one of the busiest goalies in the NHL to vault himself into the Vezina conversation. Among all goalies this season, Demko is top five in both starts (49) and shots faced (1,427) while ranking sixth with a .917 save percentage.
With Demko out, Casey DeSmith will get the bulk of starts as the Canucks try to hold off the Oilers, Kings and Golden Knights for first in the Pacific Division. Vancouver returns to the ice Wednesday at home against the Colorado Avalanche. That game can be seen at 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.