DeSmith holds the fort in rare start for key victory
March 22nd, 2018 -
Dan Bylsma has been riding Jacob Markstrom hard down the stretch but with a back to back coming up DeSmith got the start against rival Chicago. He was up to the task. First period goals from Bo Horvat and Stefan Noesen spotted him a lead and the team played solid defense in front of him, allowing only 16 shots on goal. DeSmith was perfect until five minutes to go in the game when a Ville Pokka slapshot from the point got through him, but he held at one goal allowed and Vancouver took home an important two points.
After a stretch of mediocre play Vancouver is barely staying in their playoff spot at third in the Pacific. After the win they are three points up on an Oilers squad that has a game in hand on them. They will need continued solid play down this final 8 game stretch to earn that final playoff spot. They face the defending champion Blues tomorrow, no easy task.