Demko shines in return as Canucks clinch Pacific

The Vancouver Canucks clinched first place in the Pacific Division by defeating the Calgary Flames 4-1 on Tuesday.

Goaltender Thatcher Demko looked to be in playoff form, making 39 saves in his first appearance since suffering a knee injury on March 9.

It's Vancouver's first division title with the NHL's current alignment. The club last won a division title in 2013 when it sat atop the Northwest Division for the fifth consecutive season.

The Canucks can still claim first place in the Western Conference if they win their last game Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets and the Dallas Stars lose their final contest in regulation against the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday.

As a result, the Canucks' playoff opponent in Round 1 remains undetermined. It could still be the Vegas Golden Knights, Los Angeles Kings, or Nashville Predators.

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