Well, they ain’t dead yet! After another last-minute goal, the boys found a way to win in the shootout (or maybe better to say not lose in OT?) en route to a 4-3 victory over the Devils. Newly promoted first-line center Pius Suter had a goal and an assist, Quinn Hughes skated over 30 minutes of ice time, and Demko looked vintage in his first game back from injury. If you missed the game:
With all the injuries and crap that’s happened this year, you gotta credit the boys for not just rolling over. They’re still in the hunt, and despite missing their top two centers, they’re playing some gutsy hockey right now.
“I just said it to Mysie, I've never seen a team that's so pesky and resilient coming back,” Sherwood said. “Because I was on the other side of it last year in Nashville. It just seems the team finds a way to come from behind. It's a lot of resolve from a lot of guys, and it's just a good character.
“We've been hit with a ton of adversity this year. And it shows, like I said, the character of the group to continue to persevere. We've just got to continue to stick with it and find ways.”
“We're going through some adversity with some guys out,” Myers added. “A chance for other guys to step up, and guys are working hard — working hard to play the right way. Demmer played an unbelievable game coming back after a while, and we showed a lot of resilience.”
Demko played exceptionally, making some 5 star saves throughout the game and an unreal outstretched splits save in OT. The groin looked pretty good on that one, though he said he’s definitely not fully healthy.
“Maybe not 100 per cent yet,” Demko smiled, “but, you know, that's how it goes with coming back (from injury). This time of year, there's not a lot of practices, and things can change quick with lineups and whatever else is going on. You've just got to kind of trust yourself, trust the guys are going to play a good game and they did tonight.
“You want to come in and contribute. The guys have been doing so well competing every night, and you certainly don't want to come in and contribute the wrong way. So, a huge fight for us, coming down to the last minute there and getting the extra point. So again, just super proud of the team.”
“It was a gutsy effort,” said Tocchet. “That save in overtime. That’s Thatcher. It’s been a tough six weeks for him and he’s on the right track. He was terrific for us tonight.”
Overall, it was a great team effort. The boys picked up a needed two points to keep them in the race, as they’re just three points back of the Blues with a game in hand.
“This win is big. It’s about points,” said Suter. “You can play well, but you’ve got to walk away with points and that’s what we did today. A credit to everybody for sticking with it and coming back in the third. Pretty happy about it.”
The Canucks’ quest to pick up more points continues Wednesday night against Horvat and the Islanders.
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