[CanuckJohnny]

Demko posts a shutout, picks up second consecutive victory as Vancouver piles on the goals against Buffalo




November 10th, 2018 -

The past two games have seen the Canucks outscore Boston and Buffalo by a combined 12-1. Demko has allowed only one goal in his past two starts, while facing 67 shots. After a rocky start to the season, Canucks fans are hoping that this builds the rookie netminder's confidence. This was Demko's first career NHL shutout.

Demko isn't the only one thriving in Vancouver's two straight blowout victories. Mikhail Sergachev has been dominant with 4 points, including three goals, and a +6 rating in his past two games. Evgeny Svechnikov has picked up three assists since stepping in to replace the injured Burakovsky. Bertuzzi has 3 goals and 5 points in the same span. Even Brandon Tanev, not particularly noted for his offensive contributions, has accumulated four assists in the two games.

Jared McCann seems to have responded well to the criticisms regarding his production when he had only two assists to his name after a rough October. Fans rightly expect better numbers from a top six winger. Since the month has changed to November McCann has found his form however, picking up 3 goals and 2 assists in four games. McCann credits coach Dan Bylsma for believing in him through the whole process and young forwards Bo Horvat and Tyler Bertuzzi, who also suffered through significant scoring slumps early in their careers, for encouraging him to stick it out and trust the process.

It's not all sunshine and rainbows in Canuckland after another blowout win and the team suffered two more injuries in the game. Vladislav Namestnikov, who has held down the fourth line center job well enough since stepping in when Hischier was hurt and Heinen was moved up the lineup, will be out with a significant knee injury that doctors anticipate will take a month or more to heal. 24 year old forward Alex Iafallo will be recalled from Utica to replace him. Iafallo is a natural left winger but also has experience at center and has shown proficiency at faceoffs. Even more disheartening is the loss of rookie Swedish defenseman Gustav Forsling to an upper body injury that will keep him out for a month or two. The 22 year old has been a revelation for Vancouver since crossing the Atlantic, not only earning a top four role but excelling in that role with 7 points through 18 games while playing on both special teams and logging heavy minutes. He will be missed. Fellow rookie blueliner Will Butcher should slot into the lineup to replace him. Ashton Sautner will be brought up from Utica as a 7th defenseman.