The Canucks have been hit with misfortune. Thatcher Demko sustained an injury in Game 1 of the series against the Predators, leading to Casey DeSmith taking over in goal. However, in Game 3 of the same series, it was DeSmith who got injured, resulting in Arturs Silovs stepping in as the goaltender for Vancouver ever since. Despite DeSmith only missing Game 4 of the series against the Predators, Silovs’ impressive performance in that game has earned him the trust of coach Rick Tocchet.

The looming issue in Vancouver is significant. Thatcher Demko’s health is rapidly improving, as evidenced by his recent participation in facing shots during practice. When he’s deemed ready to play again, coach Tocchet will face a tough decision. Should he continue to trust Arturs Silovs, who has performed admirably and contributed to the team’s current position, or should he reinstate Demko, an undeniably top-tier goaltender in the National League, potentially as early as Game 6? The question remains: who to trust in goal?

There seem to be two viable options for the Canucks. They could stick with Silovs, but that would mean he’s under immense pressure to perform flawlessly—any slip-up could result in his removal from the net. Alternatively, they could rely on Demko’s proven reliability, even considering his return from injury. In either scenario, DeSmith is likely to be the one affected, which seems reasonable given the circumstances. However, Silovs’ current hot streak puts pressure on the Canucks not to bench him, while Demko’s undeniable talent demands consideration. Rick Tocchet will undoubtedly face a challenging decision. It’s worth noting that the Canucks vs Oilers series is currently tied at 2-2. It’s shaping up to be an intense decision-making process.

David Rittich has secured a new contract with the Los Angeles Kings.

Whoa!

Well done.