Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet says all-star goalie Thatcher Demko will make his first start of the season Tuesday when Vancouver hosts the St. Louis Blues.
Demko last played on April 24 when the Canucks bested the Nashville Predators in Game 1 of a first-round playoff series.
The 28-year-old netminder from San Diego, Cali., suffered an injury to the popliteus muscle in his knee during the game and has been working his way back ever since.
He had a 35-14-2 record with a .918 save percentage, a 2.45 goals-against average and five shutouts in regular-season play last year and played in the all-star game for the second time in his career.
Demko returned to Vancouver’s lineup last week, backing up goalie Kevin Lankinen for games against the Columbus Blue Jackets and Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Canucks signed Lankinen to a US$875,000 deal during training camp and the Finnish goaltender has split the crease with Arturs Silovs this season, backstopping Vancouver to a 14-8-4 record.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 10, 2024.
