Tocchet: Demko’s return to Canucks practice seen as ‘a positive’

All-Star goaltender Thatcher Demko was back at practice Saturday with the Vancouver Canucks set to take on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of their second-round series.

Demko has not played since the opening game of the first round against the Nashville Predators on April 21 due to a lower-body injury, and was initially ruled out week-to-week.

“There are certain drills, certain pushes you want him to do,” Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet told reporters after practice, according to The Athletic’s Thomas Drance. “Then you wait ’til the next day and see how he reacts. Obviously him being on the ice and taking shots that’s a positive for us.”

The 28-year-old Demko posted a 35-13-2 record, 2.44 goals-against average and .918 save percentage during the regular season and is a finalist for the Vezina Trophy.

This injury is not believed to be the same one that forced Demko out of the lineup for 14 games toward the end of the regular season.

Rookie Arturs Silovs, who has made eight starts during Demko’s absence, was the first goalie off the ice following the morning skate is expected to start Game 6.

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Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 2: Canucks vs. Oilers

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