Casey DeSmith gets surprise start for Canucks in Edmonton

Thatcher Demko still battling flu bug that forced him out of Wednesday's season opener

The Vancouver Canucks will start Saturday's game in Edmonton the way they finished their season opener on Wednesday -- with back-up Casey DeSmith in goal.

DeSmith replaced Thatcher Demko with 12 minutes remaining in the Canucks season opening 8-1 victory at Rogers Arena. It was later learned that Demko was battling dehydration and the lingering effects of a flu bug that had been making the rounds through the team.

Although Demko practiced with the team on Friday, Tocchet said he decided to go with DeSmith tonight in the rematch with the Oilers to give his starter additional time to rest and recover.

"Casey had a real good camp and he deserves to play," Tocchet said after the Canucks morning skate at Rogers Place. 

DeSmith stopped all five shots he faced in his first 11:46 of game action since being acquired by the Canucks on the eve of training camp.

DeSmith was sharp in Edmonton in the preseason stopping 27 of 29 shots in a 2-1 overtime loss. He was beaten on the game winner by Connor McDavid on a breakaway.

In his career, DeSmith has faced the Oilers on three occasions and is 0-1 witha 3.41 GAA and a .918 save percentage.