VANCOUVER — Goalie Thatcher Demko’s stellar performance with 36 saves anchored the Vancouver Canucks in a dominant 4-0 win against the Florida Panthers at Rogers Arena on Thursday. This victory marked the Canucks’ fourth consecutive win and Demko’s third shutout of the season.
Dakota Joshua scored twice, contributing significantly to the Canucks’ offense. Brock Boeser also found the back of the net, extending his point streak to nine games, during which he has accumulated 14 points. Andrei Kuzmenko rounded out the scoring for Vancouver, which improved to a 20-9-1 record. The team concluded a successful five-game homestand with a 4-1-0 record.
The Panthers, now at 17-10-2, struggled offensively, with Sergei Bobrovsky allowing four goals on 17 shots. This marked Florida’s second consecutive shutout loss, following a 4-0 defeat to the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday. Anthony Stolarz replaced Bobrovsky in the third period, stopping the one shot he faced.
Kuzmenko opened the scoring for Vancouver in the first period, capitalizing on a defensive error by the Panthers. Joshua then extended the lead with two goals, showcasing his ability to capitalize on opportunities and create chances. His second goal came from stealing Bobrovsky’s pass and scoring into an open net.
Boeser’s goal on a 5-on-3 power play further solidified the Canucks’ lead, highlighting their effective power play and Boeser’s scoring form.
This win for the Canucks underlines their strong form and Demko’s crucial role in goal. The Panthers, facing back-to-back shutout losses, will aim to rediscover their offensive prowess in upcoming games.
