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It looked bad for a long time for the Vancouver Canucks in tonight’s “must game” against the Vegas Golden Knights.
For the first time during the playoffs, they had to dispense with star goalkeeper Jacob Markström, who was not even replaced as a substitute but was said to be “unable to play.”
Damaged, in other words. Markström followed the game from a rostrum at Rogers Place in Edmonton.
The box office was guarded by playoff rookie Thatcher Demko and they were played during the first half of the game.
When Vegas took the lead at 1-0, everyone thought the Canucks would collapse.
Instead, 24 seconds later, a graceful control from Brock Boeser was recognized.
And just over three minutes into the third period, they were suddenly in the lead despite shooting stats speaking in favor of the Golden Knights.
But when the Las Vegas defense missed Elias Pettersson’s mark for a few seconds, he managed to get the shaft of the club on a shot from Boeser and Robin Lehner got into Vegaskassen.
Praise after the jump
Thatcher Demko, along with Elias, became the hero of the night in the Vancouver Canucks.
The 24-year-old American from San Diego, Southern California, has been in Markström’s shadow all season.
But now he had the opportunity to show what goalkeeping talent he is. He saved 43 shots and was outstanding.
– He’s a phenomenal goalkeeper. Incredibly athletic despite his size, he makes a fantastic game, Brock Boeser said in a television interview during the second period break.
American television commentators praised Demko’s efforts.
“Vancouver is lucky to have such a high-class backup goalkeeper,” Keith Jones told the NBC Sports television studio.
Elias Pettersson leads the league in points
For Elias, tonight’s hit was the most important with the Vancouver jersey, as they were pressured to win so as not to be eliminated from the playoffs in the quarterfinals.
He is, by far, the best scorer on the team with his 18 points, 7 goals and 11 assists, in 15 games.
It gives him a fraction of a second place in the playoffs scoring after Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado, who leads with 23 points.
The next meeting between the teams will take place on Thursday.
Vegas leads 3-2 in games, so Vancouver must get another win to reach a decisive seventh game at the end of the week.
But hope for a place in the semifinals lives on for Elias Pettersson and company.
Markström or Demko?
It was a delighted Demko, who was interviewed on television immediately after the final whistle.
– I got the message that I would be playing near the start of the match, as they wanted to give Markström a chance to rest tonight. But I was ready, this is something I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid, Thatcher Demko said.
He praised his teammates for the sacrifice effort.
– I’ve been in the bubble the whole time and I’ve trained with the team, so I know how tight we are. They are all friends and they hang out off the ice. It’s a wonderful group, Demko said.
So the question is: what if Jacob Markström is healthy, fresh and available for Thursday’s game?
– I’d play Markström. It’s still thanks to him that the Canucks have come this far in the playoffs, television expert Keith Jones said.
