Canucks have bad news on Thatcher Demko injury before Oilers series
The Oilers and Canucks are set to square off in what will surely be an incredible second round matchup and an all-Canadian rivalry. The Oilers are already heavy favourites, but the Canucks could have a game breaker in their elite goaltender Thatcher Demko.
Unfortunately, after missing all but one game of the first round, Canucks insiders are reporting that it's very unlikely that Demko could return to return at all in the second round.
Demko reportedly suffered a lower body injury during game one, and although full details of the injury haven't been made public, it's been only discouraging reports so far. Lucky for the Canucks, they've had another unlikely candidate step up and contribute to the team's success: rookie goaltender Arturs Silovs.
The 23 year old Latvian goaltender was instrumental for the Canucks in the last three games of their series against Nashville, posting an incredible .938 save percentage, and a shutout in the series clinching game. Silovs could go on a run as a young goaltender with some quick confidence, but he's never seen anything like the Oilers offence at this moment.
The Oilers powerplay and penalty kill were working at an elite rate in the first round against a more adept defensive team in Los Angeles. Against Vancouver, the Oilers offence could really pick apart the Canucks weaker defence and goaltending. Without Thatcher Demko to bail out the Canucks defensive lapses, the team as a whole is a lot less threatening to the Oilers - and it's reflected in the series' odds.
Game one of the series will take place on Tuesday night in Vancouver. All hockey fans are sure to dial into this one as one of the most anticipated series so far this year, and fans in both cities might just go fully crazy.
| POLL | ||
Do you think the Canucks can beat the Oilers without Demko? | ||
| No, they don't have a shot | 69 | 46.9 % |
| It will be close, but I don't think so | 39 | 26.5 % |
| Yes, anything can happen | 32 | 21.8 % |
| See Results | 7 | 4.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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