Thatcher Demko Helps The Canucks To A 5–2 Win Against The Islanders

The Vancouver Canucks keep finding ways to win. After a stunning effort from Thatcher Demko in the first period, the Canucks took down the New York Islanders in a 5–2 victory. Five of the seven goals scored tonight came during the second period, with Kiefer Sherwood (2), Aatu Räty, Derek Forbort, and Teddy Blueger getting on the scoreboard for the Canucks. Demko made 26 saves on 28 shots against in the effort. 

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While Demko started his second straight game since returning to the lineup on Monday, it was Artūrs Šilovs who backed him up tonight. Kevin Lankinen has not started since playing in Saturday’s 5–3 loss to the New York Rangers, as he is currently dealing with a “minor injury.” Demko was sharp early on, making a quick pad save off of Bo Horvat. Just like how Demko looked like shades of his vintage self, the Canucks iced an effort worthy of his vintage status by allowing 10 shots against in the first period. 

"I've been trying to catch my legs a little bit. It's just the nature of things. It comes with the territory. So, you know, I think each game you'll start to feel better and better," said Demko of his performance and progress throughout the season after the game. 

As shown in Demko’s busy first period, the Islanders controlled the majority of play to start. By the end of the first frame, the Islanders led in corsi-for (25 to Vancouver’s 18), shots-for percentage (66.67% to 33.33%), and xGF (1.19 to 0.51), though Vancouver led in high-danger chances for with six to New York’s five. Despite this, the Canucks were the team to open the scoring in the second period. 

A player who made an impact in his return back to Long Island is Räty, who scored his first goal and point against his former team. He managed to fend off Tony DeAngelo while in New York’s zone, giving him space to tap-in a shot taken by Marcus Pettersson from the blueline. He played 10:48 and registered three shots, two hits, and one takeaway.  

"I think for him, it's just confidence. Maybe that loosens him up a bit, but t it's a nice goal for him to get," Canucks Head Coach Rick Tocchet said of Räty's game tonight. "It's always nice as a young guy to get something like a goal or an assist, and it really helps you, unlocks you for the next game." 

Tonight was the fifth time in the last eight games that the Canucks have scored four or more goals in a game. Throughout this road trip, they haven’t had a game where they’ve scored less than three. Vancouver’s offense has evidently sparked as of late, which is something it needed to do in order for the team to make a solid playoff push. The Canucks practically flipped the offensive production script in the second period, nearly mirroring the Islanders’ stats in corsi-for (57.89% to New York’s 42.11%), shots-for percentage (58.82% to 41.18%), and xGF (1.35 to 0.62).  

Like a true underdog, the Canucks have fought back any time their opponents have tied the game or score a go-ahead goal, not just tonight but throughout the road trip. If the team had lost tonight’s game, their playoff odds would have dipped to below 10% — but with the win, they now have a 15.1% chance of making it.  

"These are all must-win games. There's not many left, so we're just doing what we can to stay in it here, finding different ways to win each night," Demko added of the team's effort. "That's what it feels like for us. So we're gonna keep pushing here until until the end and see if we can squeeze out more." 

Stats and Facts: 

Scoring Summary: 

1st Period: 

No scoring. 

2nd Period: 

2:39 - VAN: Kiefer Sherwood (16) from Quinn Hughes and Filip Hronek 

5:35 - NYI: Casey Cizikas (6) from Jean-Gabriel Pageau (SH) 

8:58 - NYI: Tony DeAngelo (3) from Casey Cizikas 

13:56 - VAN: Aatu Räty (3) from Marcus Pettersson and Kiefer Sherwood 

19:35 - VAN: Derek Forbort (2) from Jake DeBrusk and Pius Suter 

3rd Period: 

1:03 - VAN: Teddy Blueger (8) from Conor Garland and Drew O’Connor

18:07 - VAN: Kiefer Sherwood (17) from Pius Suter and Drew O’Connor (ENG) 

Up Next: 

With more than half of the road trip officially over, the Canucks will set their sights on playing the Columbus Blue Jackets. Vancouver and Columbus are in similar scenarios, in the sense that they are both in the wild card hunt. They’ll face off against the Blue Jackets on Friday, with puck drop scheduled for 4:00 pm PT.

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