The Vancouver Canucks tandem for Game 4 against the Predators will look very familiar to viewers of AHL Abbotsford, as Casey DeSmith has been ruled out. Already contending with an injury to Thatcher Demko, the Canucks will turn to 23-year-old Arturs Silovs on Sunday, with 24-year-old Nikita Tolopilo playing the backup role.
Reporters, including Irfaan Gaffar and Frank Seravalli, have said DeSmith's injury doesn't appear to be serious, but the team wanted to give him a chance to rest whatever is ailing him with the expectation that they'll need to lean on him for the long haul.
At the moment, DeSmith remains an option for Game 5 in Vancouver, but the two rookie goalies will have to hold the fort for Vancouver in the meantime.
Meanwhile, Vancouver's injury woes also spell bad news for their AHL affiliate Abbotsford, who are set to play in an elimination game today in the Calder Cup playoffs - with both of their main goalies up with the NHL club.