The Ottawa Senators have lost goaltender Craig Anderson for a time. The 38-year-old left early in Saturday’s game with Philadelphia Flyers with an apparent lower-body injury and did not return. Anders Nilsson completed the game in his stead. The team announced the full injury.
Craig Anderson Out
Anderson was certainly not having an ideal season through early December. He had a record of 5-8 in 13 starts with a .905 save percentage and 2.89 goals-against-average. Both metrics are below his career averages of .913 and 2.82, respectively. He is also struggling in what could be his final year as an NHL player; Anderson is scheduled to hit free agency this summer with very little to suggest he can be a quality option in the net at his age.
Overall, Anderson has had a very good career. He is eighth among active goaltenders in wins with 283 spread out over a 17-year career with four different teams including Ottawa. He needs just four more wins to pass Dan Bouchard and Jose Theodore for career wins. Anderson is also third among active U.S.-born goalies behind only Ryan Miller and Jonathan Quick. Anderson’s best season came in 2009-10 with the Colorado Avalanche when he started 71 games and had a save percentage of .917 and 2.63 goals-against. Those numbers were good enough to place him in the top 10 for both the Hart and Vezina Trophy races.
What This Means for the Future
The Senators will lean on Nilsson for the time being with Marcus Hogberg the most likely backup candidate. Nilsson has somewhat outperformed Anderson this season with a .911 save percentage but a lower 3.15 goals against. Hogberg has had a relatively poor year with AHL Belleville but does have solid stats overall as one of the organization’s more experienced goalie prospects. Ottawa is one of the worst teams this season but would still like their veteran netminder in action after he recovers.
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