Yahoo Sports Canucks Need Better Performances From Demko If They Have Eyes On A 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Berth
With all the noise surrounding the Vancouver Canucks, one storyline that has been overlooked is the play of Thatcher Demko. A Vezina finalist last season, Demko has struggled in 2024-25 and is on pace to finish with a save percentage below .900 for the first time since 2017-18, when he played only one game. With only 33 games left in the regular season, the Canucks need Demko to find his game if they have eyes on a spot in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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While Demko's sample size is small, there are some concerning trends. His mid-range save percentage has dropped significantly, and he has only posted a save percentage above .900 in four of his 12 games. Below is a look at some of Demko's NHL EDGE stats from this year compared to last season.
2023-24 (51 Games) | 2024-25 (12 Games) | |
|---|---|---|
Save Percentage | .918 (1,369 Saves/ 1,492 Shots Against) | .867 (261 Saves/301 Shots Against) |
High-Danger Save Percentage | .845 (344 Saves/ 407 Shots Against) | .778 (70 Saves/90 Shots Against) |
Mid-Range Save Percentage | .902 (341 Saves/ 378 Shots Against) | .862 (69 Saves/80 Shots Against) |
Long- Range Save Percentage | .965 (301 Saves/ 312 Shots Against) | .963 (52 Saves/54 Shots Against) |
Percentage Of Games With A Save Percentage Above .900 | 62.8% | 25.0% |
While the large discrepancy in the games played needs to be acknowledged, the difference in save percentage is still concerning. As of January 29, 2025, Demko was below the 50th percentile in all five categories, while last season, he ranked above the 90th percentile in save percentage and high-danger save percentage. Ultimately, based on NHL EDGE's tracking, Demko is struggling, with his statistics being closer to most backups than the elite goaltenders in the league.
"You can’t manufacture confidence. You’ve got to work for it and keep grabbing it. Focus on the little things and making sure that the work ethic and the attention to details is there."
🗣 Thatcher Demko on continuing to do the work to find consistency.#Canucks | @theprovince pic.twitter.com/m6tioc1E9c— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) January 22, 2025
Demko's situation is complicated because of the amount of time he missed with injury. Not only did he have to deal with his popliteus injury, which kept him out of the lineup until December, but he also missed a few games in early January due to a back injury. While Demko hasn't indicated that the injuries are impacting his play, being out of the lineup consistently can mess with a goaltender's timing, which, in turn, can lead to some below-average performances.
With how Vancouver has started their season, they need more big performances by Demko. He already has given up 5+ goals on more occasions this year than last season and has just one win in his previous five starts. If Demko can become more consistent and elevate his game, it will go a long way in helping the Canucks turn around their season.
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