FORMER PENGUINS GOALIE STEPPING IN FOR CANUCKS
PITTSBURGH – Much like he did as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins, goaltender Casey DeSmith is being forced to step up for his team. Multiple sources have stated that Vancouver Canucks starting goalie Thatcher Demko will be out for Game 2 against the Nashville Predators and likely for the remainder of the series.
Demko missed time at the end of the season with a lower-body injury but started and got a win to kick off the Stanley Cup Playoffs. With uncertainty surrounding the injury, DeSmith is likely to be thrust into the starting position for the Canucks.
According to Elliotte Friedman on the Pat McAfee Show, this is a new injury for Demko and not related to the previous ailment.
DeSmith played 29 games in his first season with the Canucks, putting up a 12-9-6 record as Demko’s backup. DeSmith’s last five games weren’t pretty, as he went 1-4-0 down the stretch, allowing 18 goals in that time.
In his six years at the NHL level, DeSmith has only appeared in one playoff game. Penguins fans are well aware of what game it is: Game 1 of the opening-round series between the Penguins and New York Rangers in 2022.
DeSmith started for an injured Tristan Jarry but suffered an injury himself in the second overtime. After 48 saves on 51 shots, Louis Domingue came in as relief and sealed the Game 1 win for the Penguins.
The Canucks are hopeful their star netminder Demko will return soon but also hope DeSmith can hold down the fort in his absence.
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