Vancouver Canucks coach Tocchet gives Demko injury update and it's not his knee this time
Vancouver Canucks fans can let out a deep breath.
The injury suffered by goalie Thatcher Demko in Thursday night’s game against the Seattle Kraken appears to not be significant. Head coach Rick Tocchet gave a very positive update postgame.
“He had some back spasms so I don’t think it’s serious.”
Demko left the game in the second period. His sudden exit along with his shaky injury history had some fans fearing for the worst. It was just his 10th start since returning from a poplitieus injury in his knee back which he suffered in last year’s playoffs.
The fact that this isn’t affecting that same knee is great news for the Canucks. The back spasms diagnoses also suggests he shouldn’t need to miss a significant amount of time.
“You know the way back spasms are, it could be a day or two. I’m not sure,” continued Tocchet.
Demko got tangled with teammate Noah Juulsen in the first period and that could’ve been when this ailment flared up. He didn’t leave the game right at that moment but did land awkwardly.
A closer look at the play where Thatcher Demko potentially got hurt. Ends up getting clipped by… Noah Juulsen.
Not much else to say really. š #Canucks pic.twitter.com/8ayztPIknc— Lachlan Irvine (@LachInTheCrease) January 3, 2025
Kevin Lankinen entered the game in relief and admitted postgame he was tipped off before the second period he might need to play, suggesting Demko may have been feeling sore in the intermission.
“There was a little bit of communication,” said the Finnish netminder.
Despite being cold, Lankinen made 15 saves, including some highlight-reel stops to secure the victory. He also stopped all three Kraken players in the shootout.
KEVIN LANKINEN SHUTS THE DOOR TO WIN IT FOR THE CANUCKS āšŖ pic.twitter.com/w8YbFHjVJm
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 3, 2025
It was another incredible road performance from Lankinen who has been stellar away from Rogers Arena so far this year. He was an 11-2-1 road record with two shutouts and even set an NHL record for consecutive victories away from home.
The Canucks are heading back to Vancouver where they play just once in the next three days. That should offer Demko some time to rest up from his back spasms and hopefully return to action soon.