Lalji confirmed Demko's knee injury, assuring that he'll be out for less than a month. During Demko's absence, DeSmith is expected to take on a significant role in upcoming games against the Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, and Calgary Flames.
According to The Athletic's Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal, Demko's injury is unrelated to previous issues, notably a groin injury that affected his 2022-23 season. Dhaliwal mentioned that it's a positive scenario for the Canucks, with Demko likely missing less than a month and not dealing with a groin problem.
Despite Demko's setback, the Canucks maintain a comfortable lead in the Pacific Division standings, with a 10-point gap over the Edmonton Oilers. This bodes well for their playoff aspirations, especially since they're entering a relatively light stretch in their schedule, as Lalji pointed out.
Demko has been a cornerstone player for the Canucks throughout the season, earning a spot in the 2024 NHL All-Star Game and garnering consideration for the Vezina Trophy. With an impressive 34-13-2 record, a .917 save percentage, and five shutouts in 49 games, his absence will undoubtedly be felt.
