Demko looking good in Canucks’ net
ST. LOUIS
Thatcher Demko is making the most of his time in the Canucks’ starting lineup.
Demko made 34 saves in regulation and overtime and stopped all six shots in a shootout to help Vancouver to a 4-3 win over the St. Louis Blues on Thursday.
Vancouver won its fourth in a row — its longest streak since winning four straight from March 25-31, 2018.
“I’m just glad we were able to get the win,” Demko said. “It’s not about me, really.”
Josh Leivo scored the lone shootout goal, which came at the end of the sixth round.
Bo Horvat, J.T. Miller and Micheal Ferland scored for the Canucks, who won for the first time on the road in three tries this season.
Vladimir Tarasenko, Alex Pietrangelo and Robby Fabbri scored for the defending Stanley Cup champions, who have dropped three straight.
Demko is replacing regular starter Jacob Markstrom, who has missed the last two games due to a family emergency.
The San Diego-born Demko stopped 26 shots in a 5-1 win over Detroit on Tuesday in his first start of the season.
He made a pair of impressive stops in the shootout, including pad saves on Brayden Schenn and Alexander Steen.
“I think he’s a composed guy,” Vancouver coach Travis Green said of Demko. “He’s ultra-competitive. That’s a hell of a hockey team over there and he had to make some tough saves.”
Leivo lifted a shot over Jordan Binnington after the first 11 shooters came up empty.
FLAMES 5, RED WINGS 1
CALGARY — Mark Giordano had a goal and an assist to lead the Calgary Flames over the Detroit Red Wings. Andrew Mangiapane, Elias Lindholm, Sam Bennett and Derek Ryan also scored for Calgary (4-3-1), while Sean Monahan chipped in a pair of assists.
Darren Helm scored for Detroit.
DEVILS 5, RANGERS 2 NEWARK, N.J. — Kyle Palmieri and Myles Wood scored in the second period, and the New Jersey Devils held off the New York Rangers to earn their first win of the season.
Blake Coleman, Nikita Gusev and P.K. Subban also scored and Matt Tennyson had two assists for the Devils.
Tony DeAngelo and Jesper Fast had goals for the Rangers.
CANADIENS 4, WILD 0 MONTREAL — Victor Mete and Nick Suzuki each scored their first NHL goals to lead the Montreal Canadiens to a convincing win over the Minnesota Wild.
Carey Price stopped all 18 shots he faced. Joel Armia and Brendan Gallagher also scored.