Following an unexpected but seemingly minor collision, the Vancouver Canucks have announced that goaltender Thatcher Demko “will not return to tonight’s game,” according to a statement from the team’s RR department released on Thursday evening. Initially, Demko appeared to be alright as he stood up without assistance. However, his condition quickly deteriorated, raising concerns that he may have sustained yet another injury. This situation has left fans anxious, as Demko has faced various challenges on the ice in recent times.

#Canucks G Thatcher Demko will not return to tonight’s game.

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) January 3, 2025

Demko left the game midway through the second period of a closely contested 2-1 victory, igniting fears regarding the possibility of another injury setback. Recently, he had made his return from a rare popliteus injury sustained during last year’s playoffs. Despite some struggles on the ice, this latest potential setback represents the worst-case scenario for concerned Canucks fans, who were hopeful for a strong comeback.

During his brief time on the ice, Demko managed to stop 11 of 12 shots faced. However, he seemed to encounter difficulties when pushing off his left knee, which might have been exacerbated by a previous collision with teammate Noah Juulsen. Additionally, Demko fell onto his tailbone, leading to speculation that this could be a precautionary measure, yet the Canucks fanbase collectively hopes that this injury does not represent a significant setback.

In the meantime, Kevin Lankinen has stepped in as the goaltender. As of the latest updates, the Canucks are striving to maintain a 3-2 lead against the Seattle Kraken, with just over eight minutes remaining in the third period of this intense matchup.

Thatcher Demko Faces Continued Challenges with the Canucks

At just 29 years old, Demko made his return to the ice on December 10, and since then, he has recorded a 2-1-3 win-loss record, with a concerning 3.43 goals-against average and an .879 save percentage. Although expectations were high for his performance to improve as he regained his rhythm, another injury—if confirmed—would be particularly detrimental to his recovery process. Fans had been optimistic that he would find his game and contribute positively to the Canucks’ season.

The situation is dire for the Canucks, who are already missing key players such as Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes, both of whom are reported to be week-to-week with their injuries. This makes the potential loss of Demko even more concerning, as the team’s depth is being tested in this challenging season.

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