It was announced Tuesday morning that the number one goaltender for the the Ottawa Senators, Craig Anderson, has been set back again after aggravating his hand injury. Anderson was out for six weeks when he first injured his hand back in January in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Craig returned to the lineup on March 8th only to make two starts as the Senators chose to go back to the hot hand of the latest goalie sensation in the league, Andrew Hammond.
The good news for the Senators is that Hammond has been on a roll posting up a 10-0-1 record in 11 starts with a .955 save percentage and a 1.39 goals against average. In order for the Senators to continue to hunt for a wildcard playoff spot Hammond must continue tallying up the victories. Hammond will indeed get the nod to start against the Carolina Hurricanes tonight as Chris Driedger has been called up from ECHL’s Evansville Icemen on an emergency basis.
#Sens Chris Driedger will replace goaltender Craig Anderson, who aggravated his hand injury.
— Sens Communications (@Media_Sens) March 17, 2015
After tonight’s matchup against the ‘Canes, Ottawa has a big game versus the Boston Bruins on Thursday, who hold the last playoff spot. As for Anderson, whenever he is able to return, he’ll have to hope that Hammond somehow slips up to gain an opportunity to become the team’s number one goaltender once again, making this a double edge sword. If Hammond slips up, it could cost the team in making the playoffs, if he continues rolling on through like he has been as of late, Anderson may not start a game again this season with the Senators.
The only other goaltender not mentioned in this mix up is Robin Lehner. Backup goaltender Robin, has been out since February 16th due to a concussion after a collision with teammate Clarke MacArthur. There has been no indication of a timetable when Lehner will return to the lineup.
Main Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images
