The Ottawa Senators announced they have moved goaltender Craig Anderson to the Injured Reserve. Anderson suffered a lower-body injury at some point prior to the Senators’ Wednesday game.
Senators Move Craig Anderson to IR
https://twitter.com/SenatorsCentral/status/1200121113508032512?s=19
Anderson was noticeably absent from the team’s practices for the majority of the week. The club initially sold his absence as “maintenance days”, but the move to IR suggests a more serious injury. It sounds like what was considered a “precautionary measure” has taken a turn for the worst. As of the time of the announcement, it still remains unclear when Anderson sustained the injury and the severity of it.
Anderson owns a 4-8-0 record after 14 games this season. He currently boasts a .904 save percentage with 2.96 goals-against average.
What This Means for the Future
Anderson won’t be eligible to return to the ice until Tuesday when the Senators take on the Vancouver Canucks. In the meantime, the Sens will lean on both Anders Nilsson and Marcus Hogberg. Ottawa is gearing up for back-to-back games over this weekend.
Head coach D.J. Smith confirmed that Nilsson will be between the pipes for the matchup against the Minnesota Wild. Hogberg is the likely candidate in net for the second half of the back-to-back against the Calgary Flames.
Nilsson dressed in 13 games this season, posting a .927 save percentage and a 2.58 goals-against average. His current record is 7-5-1. Hogberg is significantly less experienced at the NHL level. After four games he owns a 0-2-1 record. His low level of experience is also joined by .884 save percentage and a 4.09 goals-against average.
With no real word on what is plaguing Anderson’s lower-body, the assumption is that he will be healthy enough to make his return Tuesday. However, things can change between then and now. If things don’t improve for Anderson, depending on Nilsson might be the more favourable road to travel for a prolonged absence.
OTTAWA, ON – OCTOBER 13: Ottawa Senators Goalie Craig Anderson (41) prepares for a face-off during third period National Hockey League action between the Los Angeles Kings and Ottawa Senators on October 13, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
