Demko backstops Vancouver Canucks to 4-1 win over Calgary Flames

VANCOUVER - Head coach Rick Tocchet wanted to get his star goalie ample work in his return from injury.

Or at least that's what he told reporters after Thatcher Demko backstopped the Vancouver Canucks to a decisive 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames on Tuesday.

There was an air of lightness around the Canucks Tuesday as Vancouver (50-22-9) not only beat the Flames (37-29-5), but captured the Pacific Division title in the process.

1 spot in the Western Conference, but need a win over the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday and a Dallas loss to the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday to accomplish the feat.

Pachal beat Demko on Calgary's 33rd shot of the night, sending a puck sailing through traffic and into the top corner of the net.

Demko made one of his best saves of the night on the ensuing penalty kill, robbing Nazem Kadri in tight, then dropping and rolling on to his back to smother the rebound.