Canucks' Demko returns from injury vs. Devils

Thatcher Demko is back.

The Vancouver Canucks goaltender started Monday against the New Jersey Devils after missing the previous 15 games with a lower-body injury. He made 22 saves in the 4-3 shootout victory.

Forwards Elias Pettersson and Nils Hoglander, who were injured in Saturday's loss to the New York Rangers, returned to Vancouver, head coach Rick Tocchet confirmed, according to Nation Network's Jeff Paterson. The Canucks remain on the road for the next four games.

Demko was hurt Feb. 8 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Canucks said the issue wasn't related to the knee injury that sidelined him for several months earlier in the campaign.

Entering Monday, the 29-year-old had been limited to 17 appearances this season, going 6-6-3 with an .891 save percentage. He was the Vezina Trophy runner-up in 2023-24, posting a 35-14-2 record with a .918 save percentage.

Demko is signed through next season with a $5-million cap hit.

Kevin Lankinen has handled the bulk of the workload in the Canucks' crease this season. He signed a five-year, $22.5-million extension in February.