With Casey DeSmith and Thatcher Demko both unavailable due to injury, Silvos was thrusted into action in Game 4 on Sunday and performed admirably. He stopped 27 of the 30 shots he faced and, thanks to a dramatic hat-trick from Brock Boeser, was able to see Vancouver through to a 4-3 victory in overtime. Silovs and the Canucks enter tonight's action as -120 favourites with a chance to eliminate the Predators.
Podkolzin has failed to draw into the lineup for Vancouver's first four playoff games and has been sent down to Abottsford (AHL) to receive some playing time. In 19 games with Vancouver this season, the 22-year-old Podkolzin scored two points (0G / 2A) while averaging 10:49 time-on-ice.
Thatcher Demko will remain out of the lineup for at least one more game and as a result, the Canucks will turn to DeSmith between the pipes again in game three. DeSmith struggled in game two, his series debut, allowing three goals on 15 shots (.800 SV%), in a 4-1 loss to the Nashville Predators, evening the series at 1-1. The Canucks enter action as +101 road underdogs on Friday.
Juulsen will take the place of Tyler Myers, who is out with an undisclosed injury. Juulsen finished the 2023-24 regular season with one goal and six assists in 54 games.
Myers absence from Game 2 on Tuesday night is a surprise, with the Canucks not announcing any sort of injury prior to warmups. Noah Juulsen is expected to draw into the lineup in his place.
With the surprising news that Thatcher Demko (undisclosed) will not be available for game two, and possibly beyond, the Canucks will turn to DeSmith in the crease. DeSmith is familiar with the Canucks crease as he was their mainstay between the pipes for the latter part of the season as Demko missed most of the final month due to a knee injury. DeSmith had a 2.89 GAA and .895 SV% in 29 games this season (12-9-6). The Canucks enter game two against the Nashville Predators as -131 home favourites.
Demko missed 14 games toward the end of the regular season due to a knee injury before returning for the final two games heading into the playoffs. He was solid in a 4-2 game-one victory over the Nashville Predators on Sunday, saving 20 of 22 shots (.909 SV%) but will be sidelined for game two and possibly beyond with an undisclosed injury. It is unclear if this injury is related to his previous ailment.
Filip Hronek (rest) will have the night off on Thursday, allowing Friedman to re-enter the lineup. The 28-year-old Friedman has only played once in the last month and has one point (0G / 1A) in 22 games this season.
J.T. Miller (rest) will have the night off on Thursday, allowing Di Guiseppe to re-enter the lineup. The 30-year-old Di Giuseppe has 10 points (5G / 5A) in 50 games this season.
