Silovs had a dreadful start to this NHL season and a superlative 30-save performance Sunday in a 2-1, shot-staved loss at Salt Lake City.
The late, great Tom Petty sang about it in his hit song to describe relationship building.
So, yes folks, “The Waiting” is the hardest part. And no matter what road you travel, patience is everything.
For Silovs, a dreadful start to this NHL season and then a sensational 30-save performance Sunday in a 2-1 loss at Salt Lake City in his first start since Nov. 27, are intriguing chapters in his book of work. From ecstasy to agony, it’s a good read because the latest outing was encouraging.
He had to calm down an aggressive and acrobatic game, control rebounds and track pucks better from a distance. The evidence was turning aside 11 shots in the first period Sunday, including six on three power plays, stopping several breakaways, and not allowing a puck to get by him until the 16th shot on a slot deflection that changed direction.
“I feel good,” said Silovs, who turns 24 next month. “Guys did a good job in front of me covering dangerous guys and boxing out pretty well.”
The effort shouldn’t have been surprising.
Silovs won eight of his previous nine AHL games with Abbotsford before being recalled. His numbers with the affiliate — 10-4-0, 2.43 goals-against average, and .906 save percentage — are solid. And Sunday’s effort with the big club was a step to improve a sobering 1-5-1 mark, 3.82 GAA and .862 percentage at the NHL level.
“He just needs to refine his game,” said Abbotsford general manager Ryan Johnson, who doubles as a Canucks assistant GM. “Everybody has seen what he’s capable of. His practice habits and how he carries himself have grown 10-fold. And he has already proven something at the NHL level.”
The demanding position has proven to be a roller-coaster ride for Silovs to remain cool in the heat of battle.
“He has ice in his veins, but can also get emotional,” added Johnson. “It’s keeping our goalies level-headed and focused, and when Silovs is, he’s extremely good. He thrives when pushed by our other goalie (Nikita Tolopilo) or goalie coach. It’s habits and how you approach the day to get better.”
Silovs was toast of his country after backstopping Latvia to world championship bronze in 2023 as event MVP. He then became talk of this town by posting a shutout to send the Nashville Predators packing in the first round of the 2024 playoffs.
“There’s a time,” he told Postmedia about making the big NHL leap. “You have to be patient. You can’t be like, ‘I know it and I’m good enough to play.’ You have to wait for your opportunity and work it through. Show that you’re a reliable guy and have consistency.
“Let the game come to you. You don’t really have to be stressed out about it. Wait for the moment that you have worked for to see the puck and make the save. Relax. Do your thing and use your instincts.”
And deal with the circumstances that arrived in September.
Three weeks later, he faced 22 shots and struggled in a 6-0 spanking by the New Jersey Devils, after Lankinen had got a break from four-straight road wins. Then the sands shifted again.
Demko returned Dec. 10, but suffered backs spasms Jan. 2 and another ailment Feb. 8 to be placed on injured reserve Sunday. So once again, it’s Lankinen and Silovs, but maybe in a different light. The Canucks have another back-to-back test Wednesday in Los Angeles and Thursday in Anaheim.
In the long run, Silovs is actually in a good place if he continues to deliver.
Lankinen, 29, earned his five-year extension Friday at an annual average value of $4.5 million US. It includes a no-movement clause in the first two seasons, followed by a modified NTC with a 15-team, no-trade list. Demko, 29, has another year left at $5 million with no clauses, and management will have to weigh his value and injury concern to determine a course of action.
Silovs has another season left on his two-year extension at $850,000 and will be a restricted free agent at age 25 with arbitration rights. By that time, he will likely have a more clear career direction, but you can never have enough goalies capable of carrying or sharing an NHL workload.
And that’s why the waiting for Silovs can actually be the hardest part.