The Canucks are hoping to bring back Thatcher Demko for a battle with the Blues

The Vancouver Canucks could officially have Thatcher Demko back in action as they try to get on the home ice against the St. Louis Cardinals. Louis Blues visiting on Tuesday.

The Canucks’ outstanding 10-2-1 road record was undermined by a 4-6-3 record at home. Only the Chicago Blackhawks (eight) and the Utah Hockey Club (10) have fewer home points than the Canucks’ 11 points in Vancouver this season.

The opening two games of the Canucks’ current six-game home streak showed the team’s inability to sustain momentum in its structure. Vancouver won 5-2 against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday, but then faced disaster on Sunday with a 4-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

With the score tied 2-2 at the 14:09 mark of the third period, some miscommunication led to the Canucks receiving a man-on-the-ice penalty. Jake Guentzel then scored on the ensuing power play for what appeared to be the game-winning goal for the Lightning.

Vancouver was 0-for-3 on power plays, while Tampa Bay went 2-for-4.

“Special teams didn’t win the game. … I thought we were going five out of five,” Canucks coach Rick Tocchet said. “Obviously, unfortunately, I won’t be able to have that many men’s team (penalty).”

Demko’s return from a lingering knee injury could help spark the Canucks. Demko hasn’t played since the Canucks’ first game of the Stanley Cup playoffs in late April, but the goaltender has served as Kevin Lankinen’s backup in Vancouver’s two games without seeing any ice time.

Rather than Demko facing the high-scoring Lightning or Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on Thursday, Tocchet and his staff may look to release Demko back into action between those games, against a limited St. Louis offense. Louis. The Blues rank near the bottom of the NHL in both goals (72) and shots per game (26.9).

St. Louis had five game points (4-0-1) before losing 4-2 to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. It was the first defeat for the Blues since Jim Montgomery was hired as the team’s coach.

Down 3-0 after two periods against the Oilers, St. But 69 seconds after Jake Neighbors scored the Blues’ second goal, Troy Stecher scored a goal that capped the St. Louis rally.

“We played a little slow in the first two periods,” said Blues forward Dylan Holloway. “The third half was a push and the push was good, but not enough, too late.”

Jordan Binington allowed four Oilers goals on just 21 shots as the Blues goaltender continued his inconsistent season. Binnington has an 8-10-2 record and an .897 save percentage in 21 games and is expected to start again on Tuesday.

Hotshot Quinn Hughes leads the Canucks with 32 points (seven goals, 25 assists). Thirteen of those points (three goals, 10 assists) came while the star defenseman was on a seven-game point streak.

Holloway has nine points (five goals, four assists) during a six-game streak. Jordan Kyrou leads the Blues with 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists).

–Field Level Media