Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko is “close to being a game-time decision” according to General Manager Patrik Allvin, who caught up with Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre in Boston.

Allvin saying Demko’s recovery since camp has been “better than expected” is certainly great news, and aligns with the positive update Demko himself gave to the media just last week.

“It’s obviously been a long road,” Demko said after the Canucks’ practice last Wednesday. “It’s nice to be back with the guys a little bit. Definitely [have] a little more energy, pep in my step coming back and being out with those guys. There’s still a lot of work to do, I think, but I feel really good. This is the best I’ve felt in seven-eight months. Finally have a light at the end of the tunnel and have a lot of direction in what we’re trying to accomplish… We’ve gotten some huge progress and big jumps in the last two-three-four weeks, so we’re moving in the right direction for sure.”

Demko, 28, has been out of the Canucks’ lineup since Game 2 against the Nashville Predators in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Before that, he was having a career year, boasting a 35-14-2 record with a 2.45 goals against average (GAA) and a .918 save percentage (S%). These efforts earned him the runner-up for the Vezina Trophy as the league’s best goaltender.

Demko’s injury came in the dying moments of Game 1 vs. Nashville, when a routine movement into his left post caused what’s now been identified as a popliteus injury. Demko described the injury as “rare and unique” and despite originally declaring that he’d have been ready to go for game one had the Canucks made it to the third round of the playoffs, Demko hit a setback in the summer and needed to dial back his recovery.

It’s been clear since training camp that both the team and the player are being extra cautious with this injury. To hear from the GM that Demko is close to getting back into game action is certainly another positive development. Following their matchup with the Bruins tonight, the Canucks have four more games on the road before returning home to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 6th. Demko is on the road trip with the team right now, so it will be interesting to see when the All-Star netminder makes his season debut.

Check out our video of Demko getting reps in at practice last week in the video below!