Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet says Thatcher Demko has 91裸聊视频渋mproved immensely the last 72 hours91裸聊视频� as the all-star goaltender works his way back from a lower-body injury.
The 28-year-old started Vancouver91裸聊视频檚 playoff opener against the Nashville Predators, but hasn91裸聊视频檛 suited up since.
Vancouver has turned to third-string rookie Arturs Silovs in the post-season after backup Casey DeSmith was hurt in Game 3 against the Predators.
Silovs, who is 4-3 in the playoffs with a .907 save percentage and a 2.71 goals-against average, led the Canucks a victory in that series and has been solid against the Oilers in the second round.
That matchup is tied 2-2 after Edmonton91裸聊视频檚 3-2 victory on home ice Tuesday. Game 5 of the best-of-seven showdown goes Thursday in Vancouver.
Tocchet, who is considering lineup changes after ripping some of his roster91裸聊视频檚 effort in Game 5, didn91裸聊视频檛 commit to Demko playing against the Oilers, but told reporters Wednesday the Vezina Trophy finalist has made 91裸聊视频渂ig strides91裸聊视频� in recent days.
Tocchet wasn91裸聊视频檛 happy with the performances of 91裸聊视频渇ive or six guys91裸聊视频� 91裸聊视频� including star centre Elias Pettersson 91裸聊视频� in the aftermath of Tuesday91裸聊视频檚 loss that evened the Pacific Division matchup.
And the Canucks91裸聊视频� top prospect might be the beneficiary.
Tocchet didn91裸聊视频檛 shoot down the notion that Swedish winger Jonathan Lekkerimaki could be an option Thursday in what would be his NHL debut.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 swinging the bat. I91裸聊视频檓 not scared,91裸聊视频� Tocchet said. 91裸聊视频淚 don91裸聊视频檛 know much about him 91裸聊视频� you91裸聊视频檝e got to get your intel.91裸聊视频�
Selected with the 15th pick at the 2022 NHL draft, the 19-year-old put up 19 goals and 32 points in 49 combined games with Orebro HK of Sweden91裸聊视频檚 top division this season.
Lekkerimaki also scored seven times and added three assists on home soil at the 2024 world junior hockey championship to earn MVP honours as part of his country91裸聊视频檚 silver-medal finish.
He got a first taste of North American pro hockey during a six-game stint with the AHL91裸聊视频檚 Abbotsford Canucks in late March and early April that saw him pick up a goal and an assist.
The five-foot-11 forward returned to Sweden last month in hopes of making his nation91裸聊视频檚 world championship roster, but was among the final cuts.
Lekkerimaki91裸聊视频檚 last competitive game was April 7.
91裸聊视频淚f we feel as an organization he91裸聊视频檚 (ready), I91裸聊视频檝e got no problem at all,91裸聊视频� Tocchet said. 91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 not scared to put somebody in. When you91裸聊视频檙e close to achieving something, which is trying to get to the next round, you91裸聊视频檒l do whatever. That91裸聊视频檚 the way it is.
91裸聊视频淵ou can91裸聊视频檛 play safe if you want to win. You91裸聊视频檝e got to go for it.91裸聊视频�
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