Canucks Maladies
Thatcher Demko in, Brock Boeser out?
When will it end? This time around it sounds like Boeser, a relatively new patient — he did miss two games earlier this season — might miss a little bit of action. Canucks radio man Randip Janda reported that Boeser is a game time decision against the Sabres on Thursday night at Rogers Arena due to feeling potential appendix discomfort.
Goaltender Demko plans to be in the line-up after practising with the club at full speed this week. His last start came on November 11th at home against the Winnipeg Jets when an injury forced him to leave the game after one period. His issue was obvious; he gave up three goals on eight shots before leaving after twenty minutes.
Should he start against the Sabres, it would be Demko’s 11th appearance of the season. He’s posted a respectable 2.80 goals against average and a .902 save percentage. Not elite Demko-esque numbers, but the man has been on and off the active roster due to injury for the last three years.
His club’s struggles, records of 1-and-3 in December and 3-9-and-1 since he last played, have been tough to watch.
“Some of the bounces and things, it’s getting old, especially as a spectator,” Demko said after practice on Tuesday. “If the team’s gonna go through rough patches, you wanna be a part of that. Whether you’re winning or losing games, there’s nothing worse than sitting out.”
Top line centre Elias Pettersson will join the team on its upcoming five-game eastern road trip, but isn’t expected to play against the Sabres.
D-man Pierre-Olivier Joseph, who’s played in 11 games for Vancouver this season, has been ill and may or may not be available.
Fellow blueliner Derek Forbort and forwards Filip Chytil and Teddy Blueger all remain on injured reserve.
Thursday’s match-up features the last place team from each conference. The 12-14-and-4 Sabres with 28 points, against the 11-16-and-3 Canucks, who’ve earned 25 points. Yes, Vancouver is dead last in the NHL.
The Sabres have two wins and three losses in the month of December and are playing their third game in four nights, coming off a 4-3 overtime victory against the Oilers in Edmonton on Tuesday night.
The Vancouver and Buffalo franchises joined the NHL together as expansion teams in 1970. Neither has won the Stanley Cup.
Earlier Canucks:
— Red Wings Shut Down Canucks 4-0
