Getty Images If there was any doubt that Craig Anderson is the Ottawa Senators’ top goalie, he might have already erased it.
The 31-year-old netminder improved his 2013 record to 5-0-1 as Ottawa beat Montreal 5-1 on Wednesday despite missing key players Jason Spezza and Sergei Gonchar. Anderson stopped 31 out of 32 shots.
It’s not as if Anderson has enjoyed a cushy start, either. As well as the Senators have been playing, he’s faced a little more than 30 shots per game on his way to some outstanding stats:
Anderson: 5-0-1, 0.99 GAA (six goals allowed in six games) and a .967 save percentage.
Also impressive: Anderson didn’t show the ill effects from back-to-back games; he made 31 out of 33 saves in a 3-2 win over the Washington Capitals last night.
For more on Anderson’s strong start, see this video:
Big backup Ben Bishop, 26, was in net for the team’s lone regulation loss as the Senators dropped a 6-4 decision to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Jan. 25. Perhaps Bishop (and 21-year-old prospect Robin Lehner) will eventually challenge Anderson in the future, but the veteran goalie has a strong hold over the No. 1 job right now.
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He’s off to Torpedo Nizhni Novgorod.
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He was a healthy scratch for Games 1 and 2.
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As Seidenberg and Redden get healthier, tough decisions looming for Julien
May 20, 2013, 12:27 PM EDT
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Young d-men Torey Krug, Dougie Hamilton and Matt Bartkowski have impressed.
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Donovan McNabb’s nephew says it’d be ‘special’ playing for Flyers
May 20, 2013, 12:12 PM EDT
That’s Darnell Nurse, a highly-touted prospect for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
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Spezza says Adams hit was one of the biggest he’s ever received
May 20, 2013, 11:56 AM EDT
But don’t worry, Sens fans — he’s fine.
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San Jose’s Logan Couture played the hero on Saturday night.
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Which is exactly what the goalie was following Game 3.
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All three captains are still competing in the playoffs.
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And Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen was apparently on board.
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Washington is moving into a very tough division.
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He had no points and seven fights.
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Playoffs Tonight: Blackhawks look to ‘ramp up our intensity’ vs Red Wings
May 20, 2013, 8:03 AM EDT
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Game 3 will start at 7:30 p.m. ET.
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PHT Morning Skate: Where Pens, Bruins AHL teams erupt in playoff game
May 20, 2013, 7:15 AM EDT
Monday’s collection of links.
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Report: Patrick Roy a candidate for Avalanche head coaching job
May 20, 2013, 1:56 AM EDT
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Had success as a QMJHL coach in Quebec.
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That close to going up 3-0.
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Senators’ OT hero Greening had fiberglass pieces removed from face
May 20, 2013, 12:55 AM EDT
No pain.
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Welcome back.
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Ottawa back in the series.
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Looked like a minor penalty. Went undetected.
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Overtime.
