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.

DeSmith has been serviceable when called upon for the Canucks and will start his fourth game of the season on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators. In his first season with the Canucks, DeSmith is sporting a 3.07 GAA and .905 SV% in four appearances (2-0-1). After seeing more regular action to start the season, DeSmith will be making his first appearance in the crease since October 28th, a game where he allowed four goals on 24 shots in a 4-3 overtime loss to the New York Rangers. The Canucks have won four straight and are -120 road favourites against a Senators team that has lost five of their last seven (2-5-0).

DeSmith allowed three goals on 36 shots in the Canucks' win in Florida last Saturday. DeSmith has played very well to start his Canucks' career, stopping 75 of the 81 shots (.926 SV%) he's faced in three games. Tonight he'll got head-to-head with Igor Shesterkin, and enters play as +143 home underdog.

DeSmith stopped all five shots that he faced after replacing Thatcher Demko (illness) during the Canucks' blowout win over the Oilers on Wednesday. Tonight he will make his first start with the Canucks, as he goes head-to-head with the Oilers again. This is a brutal matchup, so leave DeSmith on the waiver wire on a busy 14-game slate.

DeSmith was 15-16-4 with a .905 SV% and a 3.17 GAA in 38 games played with Pittsburgh in 2022-23 and has been traded to Vancouver for Tanner Pearson and a 2025 third-round pick. The 32-year-old has spent his entire five-year career in Pittsburgh after breaking into the NHL in 2017-18 and has a 58-44-15 record, with a .912 SV% and 2.81 GAA through 134 career games played. He carries a $1,800,000 cap hit into the 2023-24 season.

DeSmith was acquired by Montreal as part of a three-team deal with Pittsburgh and San Jose that include Erik Karlsson going to the Sharks. The 31-year-old goaltender will join only his second team after five season in PIttsburgh and has a career 58-44-15 record with a .912 SV% and a 2.81 GAA. He was 15-16-4 with a .905 SV% and a 3.17 GAA in 33 starts in 2022-23 with Pittsburgh.

DeSmith stopped 31 of 34 shots (.912 SV%) to snap a two-game losing streak as he beat Washington in his previous start. The 31-year-old Penguins' backup has been fairly average all season, with his 14-15-4 record, 3.11 GAA and .907 SV%. He will face the Detroit Red WIngs, who have lost five of their last six games and are 24th in the NHL in goals (2.86).