{"id":440832,"date":"2024-05-08T13:00:26","date_gmt":"2024-05-08T17:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=440832"},"modified":"2024-05-08T15:34:16","modified_gmt":"2024-05-08T19:34:16","slug":"edmonton-oiler-vancouver-canuck-news-game-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/05\/08\/edmonton-oiler-vancouver-canuck-news-game-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Edmonton Oiler and Vancouver Canuck News Ahead of Game 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome aboard Canadian hockey bandwagon jumpers. However, when we are talking about the playoff matchup that contains Connor McDavid<\/a> versus the NHL\u2019s Pacific Division titleholders, we\u2019re okay with it. Ahead of the Edmonton Oilers<\/a> and Vancouver Canucks<\/a> Game 1 of their second round 2024 NHL Stanley Cup playoff matchup, we are here to provide all the latest news and updates to get you ready for the action.<\/p>\n

Canucks Game 1 Starter vs the Oilers<\/h2>\n

It seems to be a certainty that Arturs Silovs<\/a> starts tonight for the Canucks. It is surprising when you compare career NHL games between Silovs and who will be his backup tonight, Casey DeSmith<\/a>. Silovs is 22 and has nine career NHL regular season games under his belt. On the contrary, DeSmith is a six-year NHL veteran, with 163 games played. But DeSmith does only have three career playoff games played. The decision to not go with DeSmith is also surprising in how it came to be in the first place. Last round, he played excellent in Game 3 against the Nashville Predators<\/a>, stopping 29 of 30 shots in a hostile environment. However, he ended up going down with a groin injury<\/a>. It was likely caused by Michael McCarron<\/a> of the Predators running interference, of which he was fined on the play.<\/p>\n

Tocchet Taking Notes from Jim Montgomery’s Book<\/h3>\n

What is surprising is that this injury essentially caused DeSmith to lose his spot as starter in the first round series. Silovs came in and played great. When DeSmith was able to go, Canucks Head Coach Rick Tocchet<\/a> decided to go with the hot hand. And in the theory of one of Tocchet\u2019s peers, Jim Montgomery<\/a> of the Boston Bruins<\/a>, going with the hot hand seems to work. You may recall Boston rotated goaltenders Jeremy Swayman<\/a> and Linus Ullmark<\/a> all regular season long. But Swayman seen the lion share of the load against the Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In any sense, Silovs is the hot hand. Also, as evidenced by his sensational play at the 2023 World Hockey Championships, he can step up his game in pressure situations. He went 7-3 with a 2.20 GAA and a .921 SV% on the way to winning Latvia\u2019s first ever medal (a bronze) at the top level. As nice as a story as that is, Canuck fans don\u2019t want to see him get lit up by McDavid and the rest of the Oil. Let\u2019s be honest, Canuck fans would much rather see 2023-24 Vezina Trophy finalist Thatcher Demko<\/a> manning the crease. Unfortunately, according to a report from Frank Seravalli, don\u2019t expect him back for the first four games at least.<\/p>\n

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Sources say #Canucks<\/a> goalie Thatcher Demko is out through at least Game 4 of this Round 2 series vs. #Oilers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Demko has been skating and progressing. Big week ahead. Earliest possible return is Game 5 and that is probably pushing it. But Games 6-7 get interesting, if necessary.<\/p>\n

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) May 7, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n