Demko: I haven't been good enough this season

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko was his own toughest critic after another underwhelming performance in a loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday.

Demko surrendered three goals on 26 shots, including two in the third period to award Buffalo a comeback victory.

"I don't think I've been good enough this year so far," Demko said postgame. "So I got to keep working to find that level that I know I can get to."

Tuesday's loss dropped Demko to 3-4-3 in 2024-25 with an .873 save percentage and 3.23 goals-against average. Demko didn't debut this season until December after sustaining a knee injury in last spring's playoffs.

"It's been a challenging year dating back to the summer," Demko said. "Obviously, it's been a lot of soul-searching for me over the last few months. I don't know how else to put it, I just haven't been good enough so far. Take it day by day. I know I'm putting in the work, so it will come."

Demko was injured after a career year in which he was voted the Vezina Trophy runner-up. The 29-year-old won 35 games and posted a personal-best .918 save percentage.

The Canucks have dealt with numerous key injuries and off-ice drama this year but remain in the hunt for a playoff spot. Vancouver is one point back of the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference despite winning only three of its past 10 games.