Canucks’ Thatcher Demko leaves game against Leafs with lower-body injury
Well, isn’t this a familiar sight?
During Saturday night’s game between the Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs, Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko was noticeably absent when the second period began. After the game, Vancouver head coach Adam Foote revealed to the media that Demko was removed due to a lower-body injury.
Though Foote didn’t state what led to the team’s veteran backstop exiting the contest, he mentioned that Demko will be re-evaluated over the next few days.
Thatcher Demko left Saturday’s game against the Maple Leafs with a lower-body injury, says Adam Foote.
He’ll be reevaluated over the next few days. #Canucks
Demko had allowed three goals on six shots in the first 20 minutes of Saturday night’s contest, marking the sixth straight start where he had given up at least three goals in a game. Kevin Lankinen finished the game, allowing two goals on 18 shots as the Canucks fell by a final score of 5-0.
Foote’s update leaves Demko’s status for the remainder of the team’s swing through the Eastern Conference up in the air. The Canucks are tasked with facing the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators on Monday and Tuesday, before finishing their six-game road trip next Thursday in a meeting with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The San Diego, Calif. native has already missed several games this season due to injury, being on the shelf 14 times thus far. A lower-body injury resulted in him being placed on injured reserve back in November. This comes after an injury-riddled 2024-25 campaign, where the San Diego, Calif. native missed 44 games.
The number of ailments Demko has suffered over his career has really set back expectations for a guy once considered the next big goaltending star in the NHL. The former Boston College product hasn’t been able to meet the high bar set for him, outside of an impressive 2023-24 season, where he helped the Canucks capture the Pacific Division title.
This season, Demko is 8-10-1 in 20 starts, posting a 2.90 goals-against average and a .895 SV% with one shutout.
The Canucks (16-23-5) remain tied with the Winnipeg Jets for the worst record in the NHL.