Getty Images In case there was any doubt, Craig Anderson will start in the Ottawa Senators’ season opener on Saturday, according to the Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch.
It might be surprising to some that there was a question about his place as the Sens’ top netminder – particularly after he nearly topped Henrik Lundqvist in the 2012 playoffs – but the team has some fairly attractive options behind him.
Robin Lehner and Ben Bishop seem primed to jostle for the backup job (and maybe even the No. 1 gig if Anderson falters) this season.
While Bishop sports a money-related edge because of his one-way contract, Garrioch reports that Lehner is expected to dress as Anderson’s backup tomorrow. Both understudies have been impressive in the AHL, as you can see from their stats:
Lehner: 14-5-1, 1.90 GAA and .945 save percentage
Bishop: 8-3-2, 2.59 GAA and .928 save percentage
Perhaps those numbers explain a) why people wonder if Anderson has a strong hold on the starting job and b) why Lehner is dressing on Saturday instead of Bishop.
From the look of things, Ottawa’s goalie battles are just starting to heat up, though.
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Rangers’ Lundqvist: Hagelin goal ‘probably the ugliest I’ve ever seen’
May 23, 2013, 11:44 PM EDT
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Something you don’t see every game.
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‘We’ve had streaks before,” he said.
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Three straight penalties, still zero goals in the playoffs.
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Video: Wings’ Abdelkader hacking and whacking at Blackhawks’ Crawford
May 23, 2013, 11:01 PM EDT
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Detroit wins again.
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The Chicago Blackhawks’ frustrations continue.
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Sharks’ Demers is in the lineup for Game 5 against the Kings
May 23, 2013, 10:47 PM EDT
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Game on.
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Tortorella says he loves Brad Richards; those who deny that can ‘kiss his [bleep]‘
May 23, 2013, 10:38 PM EDT
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The Game 4 win clearly made him chipper.
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Chris Kreider with some more playoff magic.
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Not Tuukka Rask’s best moments.
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GM David Poile compares him favorably to Brad Marchand.
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Mike Milbury isn’t totally certain.
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Limited to one joke regarding that Jeremy Roenick quip.
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Boston’s lineup stays the same as the first three contests.
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Gotta pay Zach Parise and Ryan Suter somehow, huh?
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“The L.A. Kings were a game away from missing the playoffs, and now suddenly they’re the template for everything good in hockey, and I don’t think that’s the case.”
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It’s official: Colorado names Roy sixth head coach in franchise history
May 23, 2013, 4:55 PM EDT
Franchise legend returns, nearly 10 years after retirement.
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Torey Krug, Dougie Hamilton (and Matt Bartkowski) all expected to stick.
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Shutting down the Blackhawks will do that.
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But Drew Doughty says Galiardi is the biggest diver on the Sharks, so there.
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For a headshot on Flyers prospect Taylor Leier.
