Canucks Goaltending
Heee’s baa-ack.
It’s been a perilous couple of seasons for the elite netminder of the Canucks, Thatcher Demko, between knees and groins. The latest injury, one that’s kept him out of the line-up since the 1st game of the 1st-round of last spring’s playoffs, involved a mysterious muscle behind his knee.
Hopefully the word popliteus, as in the muscle, never has to enter our vocabulary again. That said, it’ll be a nervous night for those patrons on hand, hoping and praying their goalie holds up.
Demko starts Tuesday night against the resurgent St. Louis Blues.
“He’s comfortable enough to go in, we’re excited, obviously he’s a huge part of our team,” Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet said after the morning skate.
If he survives the contest, and it’s expected he will given his months, weeks, and days of hard work and preparation, the media and public will finally get to hear from him again.
Demko is generally considered a top-5, even top-3 goalie in the NHL when he’s healthy and on top of his game.
“Lanks”
During Demko’s absence, September free agent signee Kevin Lankinen saved the club’s bacon. With last year’s playoff hero Arturs Silovs faltering, the 29-year-old Finn stepped in until Demko could return.
So impressive were Lankinen’s efforts, the former free agent-without-a-team has been added to Finland’s Four Nation’s Cup roster for the tournament in February.
Meanwhile, Demko, at one point a sure bet to represent his native United States, will sit this one out. At least for now.
We can’t get ahead of ourselves. “Demmer” and his teammates will only concern themselves with night-one of his return. A highly anticipated start at Rogers Arena on Tuesday.
