Canucks lose goalie Demko for at least Game 2

Vancouver Canucks starting goalie Thatcher Demko is out for Game 2 and questionable for the rest of their series against the Nashville Predators.

Coach Rick Tocchet said Demko would not play in Tuesday night’s game in Vancouver. He said it was a new injury that was unrelated to the lower-body injury that put Demko out of their lineup in March. Tocchet labeled Demko’s status as “day to day.”

Demko, 28, was one of the top goaltenders in the NHL this season. He appeared in 51 games, going 35-14-2 with a .918 save percentage and a 2.45 goals-against average that included five shutouts. He was first in the NHL in goals saved above expected per game (0.39) and is expected to be a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, given to the NHL’s top goalie each year. He was a key reason the Canucks went from 25th in the NHL in team defense last season to sixth overall this season.

Demko made 22 saves in the Canucks’ 4-2 Game 1 win over the Predators, including 11-of-11 in the third period.

Casey DeSmith is Vancouver’s primary backup goalie. He was 12-9-6 in 29 games with an .895 save percentage and a 2.89 goals-against average.

“We’re not looking for him to be spectacular. We’re looking for him to be Casey,” Tocchet said.

DeSmith, 32, has one career playoff appearance, and it was a memorable one. DeSmith stopped 48 of 51 shots against the New York Rangers in Game 1 of Pittsburgh’s 2022 first-round playoff series, before leaving the game in the second overtime with an injury. DeSmith would have surgery to end his postseason after the Penguins’ triple-OT win.