With Thatcher Demko sidelined with an undisclosed injury for the next several weeks, DeSmith becomes the defacto starting netminder for the Canucks. DeSmith has showcased mixed results this season, posting a 2.85 GAA and .898 SV% in 19 games (8-4-5), but has been excellent in his last two appearances (1-0-), saving 27 of 28 shots (.964 SV%). The Canucks enter action as -119 home favourites against a Colorado Avalanche club that played last night, defeating the Calgary Flames 6-2.

DeSmith will start on Monday, his first appearance in five games. The 32-year-old DeSmith has been serviceable when called upon this season but is riding a three-game losing skid (0-0-3) and has allowed three or more goals in each contest while posting an ugly .876 SV%. The Canucks enter action as -125 road favourites against the Minnesota Wild.

DeSmith is responsible for the Canucks' only loss in their last nine games, but played very well in that performance, saving 40 of 43 shots (.930 SV%) in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on January 15th. DeSmith has been serviceable when called upon this season, posting a reliable 2.55 GAA and .915 SV% in 14 games (7-3-3). The Canucks, riding a three-game winning streak, are -241 home favourites against a St. Louis Blues club that has outscored their opposition 7-3 in their last two games (2-0-0).

DeSmith is responsible for the Canucks' only loss in their last nine games, but played very well in that performance, saving 40 of 43 shots (.930 SV%) in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on January 15th. DeSmith has been serviceable when called upon this season, posting a reliable 2.55 GAA and .915 SV% in 14 games (7-3-3). The Canucks, riding a three-game winning streak, are -241 home favourites against a St. Louis Blues club that has outscored their opposition 7-3 in their last two games (2-0-0).

DeSmith will start for the second time in the last four games for the Canucks in an afternoon tilt in Columbus against the Blue Jackets. In his last outing, DeSmith saved 18 of 20 shots (.900 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the New York Islanders, improving to 7-3-2 with a 2.53 GAA and .913 SV% on the season.

Its been four games since DeSmith last took over the Canucks' starting crease but he will draw the Islanders in New York Tuesday. The 32-year-old backup net-minder has expectedly done well in his first season with Vancouver, with his 6-3-2 record, 2.58 GAA and .917 SV%. He'll face New York on the road, who has lost three of their last four and are middle of the pack offensively averaging the 18th most goals per game in the NHL (3.08).

In their first game back from the Christmas break, the Canucks will turn to Casey DeSmith and give Thatcher Demko an extended rest, as they will not play again until January 2nd. DeSmith last played on December 19th, saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Nashville Predators, and is amid a hot streak, allowing two goals or less, posting a .965 SV% while recording at least a point in each of his last three contests (2-0-1). The Canucks are -164 home favourites against a Philadelphia Flyers team that has lost two straight.

In their first game back from the Christmas break, the Canucks will likely turn to Casey DeSmith and give Thatcher Demko an extended rest, as they will not play again until January 2nd. DeSmith last played on December 19th, saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Nashville Predators, and is amid a hot streak, allowing two goals or less, posting a .965 SV% while recording at least a point in each of his last three contests (2-0-1). The Canucks are -164 home favourites against a Philadelphia Flyers team that has lost two straight.

DeSmith has been nearly unbeatable in limited action this month and will start for the second time in three games when the Canucks visit the Nashville Predators. Despite only winning once in two December games (1-0-1), DeSmith has remarkably saved 56 of 57 shots faced (.982 SV%). The Canucks have won five of their last six (5-0-1) but are +111 road underdogs against a Predators club that has been rolling lately, winning seven of their last eight games (7-1-0).

DeSmith will start for only the second time since November 16th as the Canucks take on the red-hot Minnesota Wild. DeSmith has allowed four goals in each of his last two starts (0-2-0), posting a .867 SV%. The Canucks have failed to string together consecutive victories in over three weeks but are still slight -109 home favourites against a Minnesota Wild team that has not lost since John Hynes took over as head coach (4-0-0), outscoring their opposition 18-5.

DeSmith will draw the start for the first time in five games due to Vancouver being on a back-to-back as he is set to take on San Jose Saturday. The 32-year-old backup netminder was traded to Vancouver earlier in the season and has done well when called upon with his 4-1-1 record, 2.89 GAA and .917 SV%. He will face the league worst San Jose Sharks, who have lost three straight games and are last in the NHL in goals (1.5) and shots per game (24.7).

DeSmith will draw the start for the first time in five games due to Vancouver being on a back-to-back as he is expected to take on San Jose Saturday. The 32-year-old backup netminder was traded to Vancouver earlier in the season and has done well when called upon with his 4-1-1 record, 2.89 GAA and .917 SV%. He will face the league worst San Jose Sharks, who have lost three straight games and are last in the NHL in goals (1.5) and shots per game (24.7).

On the back end of a back-to-back, DeSmith will start for the Canucks on Thursday when they visit the Calgary Flames. DeSmith has seen a fair share of action between the pipes as the Canucks' backup this season and has performed admirably when called upon, showcasing a 2.67 GAA and .916 SV% through six games (4-0-1). Having played last night, the Canucks enter action as +124 road underdogs but are facing a Flames team that is 3-6-1 in their last 10 and ranks fifth worst in the league offensively (2.60 GF / GP).

On the back end of a back-to-back, DeSmith will likely start for the Canucks on Thursday when they visit the Calgary Flames. DeSmith has seen a fair share of action between the pipes as the Canucks' backup this season and has performed admirably when called upon, showcasing a 2.67 GAA and .916 SV% through six games (4-0-1). Having played last night, the Canucks enter action as +124 road underdogs but are facing a Flames team that is 3-6-1 in their last 10 and ranks fifth worst in the league offensively (2.60 GF / GP).

DeSmith will get the nod against the Habs on Sunday for the tail-end of Vancouver's back-to-back. True to form, DeSmith has been solid but not spectacular when called upon this reason, boasting a .911 SV% and a 2.82 GAA to go along with his 3-0-1 record across five appearances. He is coming off one of the best starts of his young season, when he allowed just two goals on 30 shots in Thursday's 5-2 victory over the Senators. DeSmith makes for a great spot start on Sunday with the Canucks being -160 road favourites in Montreal.