Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (35) looks for the puck during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Vancouver Canucks on January 31, 2025 at American Airlines Center in. Dallas, Texa
Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Canucks netminder Thatcher Demko left early vs Maple Leafs on Saturday
  • While it’s not known yet what happened, it appears he suffered another injury
  • Continue reading for the full story

The Vancouver Canucks may be without their No.1 goaltender once again.

Midway through the first period on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, netminder Thatcher Demko exited the contest and never returned. While the team didn’t determine if he suffered an injury, Demko was seen shaking out his leg. Kevin Lankinen came in to replace him.

He looked to be in a bit of discomfort during pregame warmups:

Demko didn’t make his season debut until December after missing the first couple of months. The 28-year-old suffered a knee injury in last year’s playoffs and ultimately had to undergo surgery.

Since returning, he’s gone 6-6-3 in 2024-25, posting a 2.90 GAA and .889 save percentage. Demko was a runner-up for the Vezina Trophy last season following a career campaign where he helped the Canucks win the Pacific Division.

Injuries have been an issue for Vancouver, with Quinn Hughes sitting out again on Saturday. Defenceman Filip Hronek also missed 21 games with an injury.

The Canucks managed to pull out a victory against Toronto though, winning 2-1. Hronek actually opened the scoring, while Brock Boeser netted the winner in the third period on the powerplay.

Laniken did a nice job in goal, making 21 saves. He’s compiled an 18-8-7 record this season with four shutouts. The 29-year-old also owns a 2.57 GAA and a .904 save percentage.

While it’s unknown at this point just how serious the Demko injury is, the Canucks won’t play again until February 22 as the NHL takes a break for the 4 Nations Face-Off, which begins next week.

Hopefully, that time off is enough for Demko to get healthy and return to the net for the playoff-chasing Canucks.