Erik Karlsson and Craig Anderson On The Verge Of A Rare Double – Norris and Vezina

It has only happened twice in the past 30 years.  Players from the same team capturing both the Norris and the Vezina trophies in the same season.

March 31, 2012; Philadelphia, PA USA; Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) and defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) celebrate a shootout win against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Senators defeated the Flyers, 4-3 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

It is now more than a quarter of the way through the season, and both Craig Anderson and Erik Karlsson have to be at least nominated for their respective awards, if not the outright favorite to win so far.

Since the Vezina Trophy criteria was changed in 81-82 from the team allowing the fewest goals against, to the best goalie, the double has happened on only 2 occassions.  First, in 1988-89, Patrick Roy and Chris Chelios pulled the feat, and that was matched in 2003-04 by Martin Brodeur and Scott Niedermayer.

That is select company, and hockey royalty, that the Senators duo of Karlsson and Anderson have the opportunity to join.   So far, so good: Karlsson is great and Anderson’s start speaks for itself.  Just 35 more games of the same, and it will be in the bag.

Thats not too much to ask, now is it?