Vancouver Canucks HC Rick Tocchet Makes Questionable Decision with Starting Goalie Thatcher Demko
Photo credit: Bob Frid - USA TODAY Sports
Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet has confirmed who will start in net for the team tonight as they face the Dallas Stars in a must-win game.
The Vancouver Canucks are facing yet another must-win scenario on Tuesday as with a regulation loss to Dallas, they'll be eliminated from Stanley Cup Playoff contention.
With five games remaining, every point matters, even if Vancouver's odds of making the Stanley Cup Playoffs hang by a thread and tonight, it'll be a big test against a Dallas Stars team who has 50 wins on the season.
Rick Tocchet announces starting goaltender, lineup notes
This morning, the Vancouver Canucks hit the ice at American Airlines Center in Dallas for practice and it was revealed who will be getting the start for them in tonight's crucial game.
In a post on X, Iain MacIntyre of Sportsnet revealed that Thatcher Demko will be getting the start between the pipes for Vancouver tonight.
Demko last started on Saturday against the Anaheim Ducks where he stopped 30 of 32 shots he faced in a big 6-2 win, which saw rookie Elias Pettersson score his first goal in the National Hockey League.
With the team facing back-to-backs this past weekend, Tocchet gave Kevin Lankinen the nod in goal for Sunday's game against the Vegas Golden Knights and he played quite well too, making 32 saves on 35 shots in a 3-2 loss, so the Canucks head coach faced a tough decision ahead of tonight's contest.
MacIntyre also shared that the Vancouver Canucks have only traveled with six defensemen on their roster, as Tyler Myers, along with forwards Elias Pettersson and Filip Chytil not on the two-game road trip with the club.
"Thatcher Demko starts tonight for Canucks. Same lineup as Sunday. Myers, Pettersson and Chytil not on the trip. Only 6 defencemen available." MacIntyre said.
As for the Dallas Stars, they've decided to give Casey DeSmith the start in net against his former team as they try to catch the Winnipeg Jets for first in the Central Division.
"#TexasHockey Morning Skate Update:
- Casey DeSmith will start in goal vs. #Canucks.
- No changes on defense tonight, but there is one-game time decision up front (no details offered).
- Pete DeBoer did say that Tyler Seguin is really close, but no contact yet." Owen Newkirk of DLLS Sports said on X.
- Casey DeSmith will start in goal vs. #Canucks.
- No changes on defense tonight, but there is one-game time decision up front (no details offered).
- Pete DeBoer did say that Tyler Seguin is really close, but no contact yet." Owen Newkirk of DLLS Sports said on X.
Puck drop for tonight's big game against the Dallas Stars is set for 5 pm PT on Sportsnet Pacific.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 8 | 352 ANSWERS Vancouver Canucks HC Rick Tocchet Makes Questionable Decision with Starting Goalie Thatcher Demko Do you agree with the decision to give Thatcher Demko the start tonight? | ||
| Yes | 277 | 78.7 % |
| No | 75 | 21.3 % |
| List of polls | ||