Canucks vs. Predators: Why Casey DeSmith passes praise like a hot potato

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It was a pure money reaction.

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Casey DeSmith went to play the puck behind his net in the first period Friday and was sent sprawling by a heavy hit from Michael McCarron.

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The Vancouver Canucks gregarious goaltender got up and flashed a smile at the hulking Nashville Predators winger, who was assessed a minor for interference. On Saturday, he got an additional US$2,000 fine for his intent and aggressiveness.

The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Was the hit an intentional addition-by-subtraction ploy, an accidental-on-purpose ploy that often surfaces in the Stanley Cup playoffs? With Thatcher Demko sidelined by injury, was McCarron trying to take out the backup and leave the net to rookie Arturs Silovs? Who knows?

Testosterone levels are sky high in the post-season and momentum swings mean everything. But this?

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“It’s a little sensitive, we’ve already got a goalie hurt,” Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet said Saturday after practice. “Sometimes, there are collisions. I get it. But instead of going straight, he (McCarron) did that one thing at the end. That separates.

“While it was accidental, it wasn’t accidental. Listen, I played a hard game. I don’t want to rip on players, but he put his shoulder into Casey.”

What we do know for sure is the manner in which DeSmith dealt with the blow landed a psychological punch.

He could have gone after McCarron or the referees. He could have dropped F-bombs or swung his stick. However, that’s not DeSmith. Never what. Never will be.

“He’s not an uptight guy,” Tocchet said after DeSmith backstopped a 2-1 win in Game 3 with a 29-save performance. “He always has a smile on his face and it’s infectious when he comes in.

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“Even if he has a tough night and things don’t go his way, he never complains. His demeanor is just great for that role. He’s locked in. His personality keeps him even-keeled.”

DeSmith is a classic “we-not-me” guy. Moments after backstopping the Game 3 win, he was thanking everybody and taking no credit for surviving another playoff pressure-cooker.

It’s because he’s grateful to be still in a game he has always called “fun.”

“I can’t say enough about the guys — especially on the 5-on-3 penalty kill,” he told TNT post game Friday. “So many guys were eating pucks and Teddy Blueger a huge block at the end with Roman Josi walking down the pipe.

“The guys really earned that one. This is a really hard place to play and that was a great team we beat.”

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And, as always, DeSmith also maintained a sense of humor.

On the Predators’ lone goal in Game 3, he could have contested the presence of Colton Sissons at the top of the crease. His right skate momentarily impeded DeSmith’s ability to move across the crease before Luke Evangelista’s slot shot found the far glove side.

“I was trying to center myself — I guess I didn’t sell it enough — and maybe go back to the drawing board and take a little dive next time,” chuckled DeSmith.

The very nature of DeSmith’s occupation can be unnerving. His work schedule is often uncertain. His margin for error is minimal. And his future is far from certain as a 32-year-old unrestricted free agent.

It even transitioned to an unsettling and uncertain off-season for DeSmith.

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In early August, the amiable, undrafted and unflappable stopper was making the most of his latest and curious career pivot to Montreal. He was shipped by the Pittsburgh Penguins and the blow was eased by growing up a Habs fan and admiring Jose Theodore and Patrick Roy.

He attended a golf tournament and the instant camaraderie with new teammates was like a red-carpet welcome to a hockey mecca.

Six weeks later, the reality of being a back-up kicked in. DeSmith was traded to Vancouver for winger Tanner Pearson and a 2025 third-round draft choice.

“The trade (to the Canadiens) was a little bit of a weird experience for me,” DeSmith said upon arrival in Vancouver. “They were very forthcoming because they had three goalies, plus (minor-leaguer) Cayden Primeau who’s a good goalie.

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“I knew somebody was probably on the way out and kind of had a feeling it might be me, because I hadn’t really got there in the first place.

“I grew up a big Habs fan and it was a thrill to go to Montreal. I skated with the team four of our five times and everyone was great.

“But they didn’t know the situation and I didn’t feel like I was totally there ever.”

Well, he’s in Vancouver now. And he’s totally appreciative and appreciated.

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Read more of our Canucks vs Predators playoff coverage:

• Stanley Cup Coffee Canucks vs. Predators: Casey DeSmith’s rebound control and how the goals happened
Canucks vs. Predators: Nikita Zadorov knows what it means to be built for the playoffs
• Canucks’ Sportsnet radio crew not traveling for playoffs — and Jim Robson isn’t impressed
• Mentality in the spotlight as series shifts to Nashville tied 1-1
• Canucks: Want to talk playoffs? Player-turned-analyst Chris Higgins is your guy
• Canucks vs. Predators Game 2: How the goals were scored
• Canucks: Worried about missing Thatcher Demko? Here are five backups who stole the show in the playoffs

GET YOUR CANUCKS PLAYOFF POSTER: We are proud to partner with the Vancouver Canucks to bring you this year’s edition of the longtime Province tradition, the Canucks Playoff Poster series. CLICK HERE to get a new player poster emailed to you every game day!

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