It didn’t take long for Canucks fans to panic after Thatcher Demko exited early in the second period of the Vancouver Canucks’ shootout win over the Seattle Kraken on Thursday night.
After all, Demko was playing in just his seventh game of the season after a lengthy absence due to a knee injury he suffered in game one of the Canucks’ first round playoff matchup with the Nashville Predators. Thankfully, it seems as though fans can exhale.
Following the game, Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet shared that Demko exited due to back spasms.
“Back spasms. I don’t think it’s serious, but you know how back spasms are, could be a day or two.”
Demko exited early in the second period, but it appears as though he was injured late in the first period when Noah Juulsen collided with him in the blue paint.
Kevin Lankinen, who entered the game in relief and was excellent down the stretch and into the shootout, shared post game that he had some indication in the first intermission that he may be needed in relief. Demko made 11 saves on 12 shots prior to exiting the game, while Lankinen stopped 13 of 15, along with all three of the Kraken’s shootout attempts.
That it seems as though Demko won’t be out long is great news for the Canucks, who are already without captain Quinn Hughes, centre Elias Pettersson, and defenceman Filip Hronek. The Canucks’ schedule is only going to get tougher this month, and they’ll need as many of their difference-makers around as possible if they want to stay in the playoff conversation.
So far without Hughes, the Canucks have lost to the Kraken and Calgary Flames, and have one win in three Hughes-less games thanks to tonight’s shootout victory. The Canucks will be right back in action tomorrow when the Nashville Predators pay a visit to Rogers Arena. It’s unclear who will start in goal for the Canucks, but it could be Lankinen due to the Abbotsford Canucks being in Quebec.