Demko stopped 28 of 31 shots in Wednesday's 3-2 overtime loss to Utah.
Demko dropped to 1-1-2 after letting a 2-0 lead slip away. Clayton Keller and Dylan Guenther scored in the third period for Utah, and Mikhail Sergachev finished the comeback at 4:48 of overtime. Demko showed some promise in a 3-1 win over the Avalanche on Monday, but he's still somewhat of a risky fantasy play as he gets back up to speed on the fly. He's allowed 13 goals over four starts, and it's likely he'll get some rest with the Canucks visiting the Golden Knights on Thursday to finish a back-to-back set.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: Set to start Wednesday's game
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Demko will be between the road pipes for Wednesday's matchup against Utah, Brogan Houston of Deseret News Sports reports.
Demko went through his starting routine during Wednesday's morning skate, and he'll officially draw the start for the fourth time in the Canucks' last five games. The 29-year-old missed the first two months of the season while rehabbing from a knee injury that he sustained last year, and he's posted a 1-1-1 record, 3.32 GAA and .881 save percentage over his three appearances since returning to action.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: Stellar in win Monday
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Demko saved 30 of 31 shots in Monday's 3-1 win over the Avalanche.
Demko made his third start of the season Monday and certainly left a good impression, earning his first win of the campaign and maintaining a shutout bid until there were just 46 seconds left in the third period. The 29-year-old is still shaking off the rust that comes with rehabbing from a knee injury sustained last season, but this was an outing that points in the right direction for the eight-year veteran. Through three appearances, Demko has gone 1-1-1 with a 3.31 GAA and an .881 save percentage, so there's still margin for improvement.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: Facing Avalanche
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Demko will patrol the home crease against Colorado on Monday, per Canucks Insider.
Since returning from a knee injury, Demko has surrendered nine goals on 53 shots en route to a record of 0-1-1. Arturs Silovs will be the backup because Kevin Lankinen (illness) is unavailable. Colorado sits eighth in the league with 3.31 goals per game in 2024-25.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: Yields five goals in loss
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Demko stopped 23 of 28 shots in Saturday's 5-1 loss to the Bruins.
Demko is 0-1-1 with nine goals allowed on 53 shots over his first two starts this season. The 29-year-old got the start Saturday somewhat by default -- Kevin Lankinen (illness) was unable to suit up. It wouldn't be shocking to see Demko and Lankinen alternate starts when both are healthy. For now, Demko appears to still be shaking off the rust after a nearly eight-month recovery from a knee injury, so fantasy managers may want to be selective about when they put him in the starting lineup.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: First off Saturday
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Demko will get the start Saturday at home against the Bruins, Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650 reports.
Demko will be back between the pipes after allowing four goals on 25 shots in a 4-3 overtime loss against St. Louis on Tuesday in his season debut. He'll face a Bruins team that's dropped back-to-back contests, scoring just one goal in each game.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: Takes overtime loss in debut
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Demko surrendered four goals on 25 shots in Tuesday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Blues.
The Canucks came back from a 3-1 deficit, but they couldn't get the puck into the net in overtime. Dylan Holloway had the decisive goal, handing Demko a defeat in his season debut after a nearly eight-month recovery from a knee injury. It's safe to assume Demko and Kevin Lankinen will share the goaltending duties for at least the rest of December unless one or the other gets on a hot streak. The Canucks' next game is a tough one at home versus the Panthers on Thursday.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: Making season debut Tuesday
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Demko will be in the home blue paint Tuesday versus the Blues, Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650 reports.
Demko will make his first start of the 2024-25 campaign, as he's been contending with a knee injury dating back to last season. The California native's last appearance came in Vancouver's first-round playoff series against Nashville on April 21. The 29-year-old shouldn't be expected to take over the No. 1 netminding gig, at least in the short term, as Kevin Lankinen's strong play between the pipes has afforded Vancouver the luxury of easing Demko back into game action. Demko has been the backup to Lankinen in each of the last two games. Demko was stellar in 2023-24, posting a 35-14-2 record, .918 save percentage and 2.45 GAA over 51 regular-season outings.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: Backing up against Jackets
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Demko (knee) will serve as the backup for Vancouver at home versus Columbus on Friday, Thomas Drance of The Athletic reports.
Demko looks poised to return to action sooner rather than later. While he will sit on the bench behind Kevin Lankinen on Friday, it could open the door for Demko to make his first start of the season in a home matchup versus Tampa Bay on Sunday. Lankinen's strong play -- he's 12-3-3 on the season -- could see Demko eased back into action, but he should eventually reclaim the No. 1 spot in the crease.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: Nearing return
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Demko (knee) believes he's at a point in his recovery where he might be able to serve as the backup goaltender within Vancouver's next three games, Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650 reports Thursday.
The Canucks' next three games will all be at home. They'll host Columbus on Friday, Tampa Bay on Sunday and St. Louis on Tuesday. Demko was fantastic in 2023-24, posting a 35-14-2 record, 2.45 GAA and .918 save percentage in 51 regular-season appearances. Given that he suggested he might start as an understudy, Vancouver might slowly ease him back toward his typical workload. Even still, his return would likely result in Arturs Silovs being sent to the minors. Kevin Lankinen, who has done fine as the temporary No. 1 with a 12-3-3 record, 2.66 GAA and .906 save percentage across 18 outings this campaign, will see his role significantly diminish, especially once Demko is back up to speed.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: Placed on non-roster list
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Demko (knee) will begin the 2024-25 season on Vancouver's non-roster injured reserve list, the team announced Monday.
Demko's status shouldn't come as a surprise considering the team has repeatedly said he doesn't have a clear timeline to return. At this point, fantasy managers should probably consider the backstop as week-to-week, though it could certainly be longer. Arturs Silovs and Kevin Lankinen will pick up the slack in Demko's stead.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: No timetable for return
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Demko (knee) has made a lot of progress over the last 2-3 weeks, but said Thursday there is still no timetable for his return, Harman Dayal of The Athletic reports.
Demko also said that he had a minor procedure done in the offseason that was unrelated to his knee injury. Demko stated that he has an unique injury -- a lower-body muscle injury -- and hasn't found any hockey player with a similar injury. Should Demko miss the start of the regular season, look for Arturs Silovs to take over the No. 1 job with the Canucks.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: Meeting with media Thursday
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Demko (knee) is expected to discuss his recovery from a knee injury when he talks to the media Thursday, Thomas Drance of The Athletic reports.
Demko is not expected to participate in training camp or preseason games as part of his recovery plan. More details may be available after his media session, but Demko is likely to continue to need to manage his workload even once he's cleared for games.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: No timetable for return
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Demko is progressing in his recovery from a knee injury, but it's unclear when he'll return to full strength, per Sportsnet 650 on Tuesday.
Demko appeared in one postseason outing against Nashville before he injured his knee. The 28-year-old's rehab has taken longer than expected, so there's speculation that Vancouver will take a look at the goaltender market in the event that Demko isn't ready to start the 2024-25 season. There's also no clarity on whether Demko had a surgical procedure to address his knee issue at this point. In 51 appearances in 2023-24, Demko was 35-14-2 with a .918 save percentage and a 2.45 GAA.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: Ruled out for Game 7
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Head coach Rick Tocchet said Saturday that Demko (knee) will not play in Monday's Game 7 versus the Oilers, Thomas Drance of The Athletic reports.
Demko was believed to have a chance to return during the second round, but this will eliminate that possibility. The Canucks will instead entrust either Arturs Silovs or Casey DeSmith in a must-win game with a trip to the Western Conference Finals on the line. Demko will have missed 12 straight contests after Monday, and there's been no indication at what point he might be available if the Canucks are able to extend their playoff run.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: Still unavailable
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Demko (knee) won't be available for the start of Vancouver's second-round series against Edmonton, Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650 reports.
Demko, who is considered week-to-week, sat out the final five contests of the Canucks' first-round series versus Nashville. It remains unclear when he will be available to return. During Demko's absence, Casey DeSmith and Arturs Silovs have shared time between the pipes. The 23-year-old Silovs could make his fourth straight start in Game 1 versus the Oilers on Wednesday.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: Travels with team
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Demko (knee) joined the Canucks for their trip to Nashville for Games 3 and 4 despite being labeled week-to-week, Dan Murphy of Sportsnet reports Thursday.
Given Demko's week-to-week timeline, his presence on the trip is likely more about being around the team and perhaps helping Casey DeSmith in an off-ice capacity than him potentially returning to action soon. Another update on Demko will likely surface once he's upgraded to day-to-day.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: Considered week-to-week
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Demko (undisclosed) is regarded as week-to-week, coach Rick Tocchet told Thomas Drance of The Athletic on Wednesday.
Demko was a key part of the Canucks' regular-season success, posting a 35-14-2 record, 2.45 GAA and .918 save percentage in 51 contests. He also stopped 20 of 22 shots en route to a 4-2 victory over the Predators in Game 1 on Sunday. The Canucks will likely lean on Casey DeSmith during Demko's absence.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: Out Tuesday, considered day-to-day
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Demko is considered day-to-day with an undisclosed injury and won't play in Tuesday's Game 2 versus the Predators, Canucks rinkside reporter Kate Pettersen reports.
Demko was solid in Sunday's Game 1, stopping 20 of 22 shots en route to a 4-2 win over Nashville. The good news is Demko's undisclosed injury isn't related to the knee issue that kept him out from March 13-April 13. The bad news is the Canucks will be without their No. 1 netminder for at least one playoff contest and potentially more. Casey DeSmith will take over for Vancouver between the pipes until Demko is ready to return.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: Earns Game 1 win
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Demko stopped 20 of 22 shots in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Predators in Game 1.
Demko allowed four goals on 65 shots over two games to close the regular season following his return from a knee injury. The 28-year-old was facing a deficit for a large portion of Sunday's game, but the Canucks turned things around in the third period to get the win. He won a career-high 35 games with a 2.45 GAA and a .918 save percentage over 51 regular-season outings, so he's going to be tough for the Predators to solve over a full series.
