Canucks coach Tocchet confirms Thatcher Demko's status for game 7
Heading into Game 7, the Vancouver Canucks still held a wildcard for the series with Thatcher Demko's potential return from injury.
Canucks coach Tocchet opened today's press availability by saying that Demko will be available for Game 7, then quickly walked it back as a joke. Demko will not be available as he's still recovering from injury, and the Canucks will start Arturs Silovs in game 7.
In first game of the playoffs, the Canucks lost their elite starting goaltender to a significant knee injury, with the best case scenario for his return being the end of the second round. Without Demko, the Oilers should've had a clear advantage in net, but goaltending has been wild for both teams this series.
Skinner will undoubtedly start game 7, but he had lost the net early in this series due to poor performance. Arturs Silovs has been an incredible success story for the Canucks, but he's begun to falter against the Oilers late in this series, seeing his save percentage fall below .900. Still, Stuart Skinner will have his work cut out for him trying to maintain his composure and out-duel his opponent.
The Canucks have done an expert job containing the Oilers offence and limiting their direct shots on net. In game 7, the Oilers elite talent needs to push through and get pucks to the net, trusting they can beat the Canucks' third string goaltender. Anything can happen in a game 7, and the Oilers will need to play their best game of the year to eliminate the Canucks, and punch their ticket to the conference finals.
| POLL | ||
Which team has the goalie advantage with Thatcher Demko ruled out for game 7? | ||
| Oilers, Skinner is better | 137 | 31.7 % |
| Canucks, Silovs is better | 104 | 24.1 % |
| Equal, both goalies the same | 165 | 38.2 % |
| See Results | 26 | 6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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