According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko is considered a possibility to start Monday’s match against the New Jersey Devils. Demko hasn’t played since February 8th, but practiced with the team on Sunday.
We will see what tomorrow brings but hearing Thatcher Demko is a possibility to start tomorrow for Vancouver in NJ.
Coach Rick Tocchet said Kevin Lankinen wasn’t feeling well vs NYR yesterday.
Demko has not played since Feb 8…but practised today. Canucks need a boost and…
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 24, 2025
Friedman adds that according to Vancouver coach Rick Tocchet, Kevin Lankinen wasn’t feeling well in the team’s contest against the New York Rangers Saturday, when he conceded four goals on just 11 shots. The Rangers added an empty netter to take the match 5-3, leaving the Canucks without a point in a critical match as they continue to fight for a wild card spot in the West. They are currently two spots and five points behind the St. Louis Blues, who hold the last spot in the playoffs, with two games in hand. One ahead of them is the Calgary Flames, who lead the Canucks by a point with an extra game in hand.
Demko’s return could provide a huge boost to a Canucks squad desperate for points as they look to put together back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since 2013. The 29-year-old goaltender made his return from injury in December before exiting from the team once again in February after suffering a lower-body injury against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He returned to practice just over a week ago, but has yet to appear with the team.
This season, the American goalie has appeared in 17 contests, with a 6-6-3 record, 2.87 GAA, and a .891 SV%. While those numbers do leave something to be desired, he may have potentially still been suffering lingering issues related to injury. A potential return would be helpful for Vancouver, as he has previously shown the ability to rise to the occasion in important moments for the Canucks, but questions remain about if he is at 100% health, and if he’ll have any hesitations in his game after suffering so many injuries.
Lankinen meanwhile has held down the fort in Demko’s absence with a 17-14-5 record, but has struggled as of late. In his last 10 games, he has a 4-5-1 record with a save percentage of .873, not good enough for a team battling hard for a spot in the postseason.
With 12 games remaining in the regular season for Vancouver, time is running out. And if Demko returns tomorrow night, he will have to be sharp right from the jump. Puck drops between the Canucks and the Devils at 4:30pm.
