The Vancouver Canucks will be making a change in goal, yet again, for Game 4.
Arturs Silovs, the club’s 23-year-old third-string netminder, will get the start in place of Casey DeSmith, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
“He’s not playing today,” Friedman said of DeSmith during Sportsnet’s Stanley Cup Playoffs broadcast. “I don’t think it’s because of the McCarron play; he practised yesterday. But I do think there’s something. The Canucks have decided to be careful.”
Friedman was referring to a play in Game 3 where the Predators’ Michael McCarron knocked the goalie down hard behind his goal.
Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet seemed to hint at a possible change when he refused to confirm his starter to media after the morning skate.
DeSmith took over the Vancouver net after No. 1 goalie Thatcher Demko suffered an undisclosed injury during the Canucks’ 4-2 win over the Predators in Game 1. After two games, he now also appears to be out.
Silovs appeared in four games for the Canucks this season going 3-0-1 while posting a 2.47 goals-against average and a .881 save percentage. The Latvian also appeared in 34 games in the AHL for Abbotsford posting a 16-11-6 record with a 2.74 GAA and a .907 save percentage.
After allowing three goals on 15 shots in Game 2, DeSmith stepped up allowing just one goal on 30 shots in a 2-1 victory in Game 3.
Nikita Tolopilo, who has yet to play in the NHL but made 35 appearances in Abbotsford this season (.905 SV% / 2.83 GAA) will back up Silovs.
