Craig Anderson: Should We Worry About the Ottawa Senators Goalie's Slow Start?

Craig Anderson was a great mid-season acquisition for the Ottawa Senators last season. In 18 games for the Sens, he posted an 11-5 record with a 2.05 GAA and a .939 save percentage. That save percentage, if kept up for the whole season, would have been tops in the league (ahead of Vezina and Conn Smythe winner Tim Thomas).

Currently, through three games, Anderson has a 4.36 GAA and a .867 save percentage. These numbers aren’t very flattering, considering the Senators have only faced one team known for their offencive output (Detroit).

So what is the problem? Poor defence? Too many shorthanded opportunities?

Well, the Senators did not give up a power-play goal against the Red Wings, but followed that up by allowing two to the Leafs and one to the Wild. If it is any consolation, their own power play has been on fire, netting five goals in those three games.

But remember, it is only three games. It was clear that the Senators did not play well as a team defensively against Detroit or Toronto.

The biggest test for Anderson will be to see how he fares against his former team tonight. As Anderson states, “one door closes and another one opens.” I am sure he will be pumped this evening to face the Avalanche.

Before we get too critical of the goalie that was one of the lone bright spots last season after only three games, let us see how he does against the team he started with in 2010.