BOSTON — At 5:03 of Monday’s second period, Finland coach Antti Pennanen turned to his right and caught the eye of Juuse Saros ... primarily to serve as Thatcher Demko’s backup.

In Team Finland's first game of the 4-Nations Face-Off, they started Juuse Saros of the Nashville ... as Vancouver's backup but an injury to Thatcher Demko forced them to play him more.

It's been a difficult year for Thatcher Demko. The Vancouver Canucks ... And also got in 4 Nations, (and) supplanted Juuse Saros. Like, he's a good goalie, and I think they've determined that ...

Representation of the Nashville Predators at the 4 Nations Face-Off got thin real quick following Juuse Saros's benching ... with the previously injured Thatcher Demko on the Canucks.

Lankinen allowed four goals on 13 shots before getting the second-period hook in favour of Juuse Saros. It was a bitter 5-3 loss in which Finland had no answer for Canada’s speed, drive and finish.

Instead, we pitched the idea of extending Lankinen, even with Demko still in the fold ... and that follows two exceptional years of backing up Juuse Saros in Nashville. This is a goalie who ...