Thatcher Demko is back in form, and Rick Tocchet has an important choice to make.

The Canucks aren’t lucky.

Thatcher Demko was injured in Game 1 of the series against the Predators… so much so that Casey DeSmith had to replace him.

But in Game 3 of the series against the Preds, it was DeSmith who was injured. The result? Arturs Silovs has been keeping goal for Vancouver ever since.

DeSmith, in the end, only had to miss Game #4 of the series against the Preds… But Silovs was so good in Game #4 that Rick Tocchet doesn’t hesitate to trust him.

That said, there’s a big problem brewing in Vancouver right now.

Demko’s health is improving rapidly (he faced shots today)… And when he’s ready to play, Tocchet will have a big decision to make.

Dowe trust Silovs, who got the team to where it is right now…Or do we trust Demko, who could return in Game #6 and is unquestionably one of the best goalies in the National League?

The question arises:

#Canucks update: Today marked third consecutive day Thatcher Demko took shots. He hasn’t been participant in practice yet and hasn’t quite ramped it up to 100%.

No real urgency for Game 5, I don’t believe, but Rick Tocchet could have a fascinating choice.

Silovs has been solid.

– Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) May 15, 2024

There are two possible options here.

Either the Canucks go with Silovs… But if that’s the case, he has no right to make a mistake.

Like, one bad goal and he’s OUT.

Otherwise, the team knows that Demko can be reliable even if he’s coming back from injury.

That said, in both cases, Casey DeSmith would be the one to take the hit, and that makes sense.

The thing is, Arturs Silovs is so hot right now that the Canucks don’t have the “right” to pack him in… And Demko can’t be left out because of his enormous talent.

All this to say that Rick Tocchet is going to have to scratch his head, because the decision won’t be easy.

Let’s also remember that, at the moment, the Canucks vs Oilers series is tied 2-2.

In gusto

– Me, too.

Wishing Valeri Nichushkin all the best pic.twitter.com/Nu6fOk1eHY

– P.K. Subban (@PKSubban1) May 15, 2024

– New contract for David Rittich in Los Angeles.

The @LAKings have signed goaltender David Rittich to a one-year contract worth an average annual value (AAV) of $1,000,000 through the 2024-25 season.https://t.co/eqjQHx5rOJ

– LA Kings PR (@LAKingsPR) May 15, 2024

– Whoa!

Caitlin Clark’s WNBA debut averaged 2.1 million viewers on ESPN2 last night.

That’s more viewers than two NBA Christmas Day games last year, and it’s the most-watched WNBA game in over 20 years.

A massive number. pic.twitter.com/5boFvvZXaz

– Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) May 15, 2024

– Well done.