Ottawa Senators Mid-Term Grades – Goalies & Defensemen
Dec 28, 2013; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN;Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) makes a blocker save in the first period against the Boston Bruins at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Expectation: Anderson was a Vezina Trophy favorite and a Hart Trophy Candidate last season before his ankle injury forced him to miss 18 games. After a summer off, and a contender for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team, he was expected to provide the Senators with excellent, consistent goaltending, even if his numbers couldn’t quite match last year’s superhuman numbers.
In The First Half: Whether it was the pressure placed on him or trying to do too much to secure a spot on the U.S. Team this has been pretty much a disastrous season so far. He ended the first half with an 11-9-4 record and a sub-standard 3. 26 GAA and .901 SP. It hasn’t just been the number of goals he allowed, it is when they are going past him. The Senators need him to make timely saves, and in the first half that hasn’t happened.
GRADE: D
Potential to Improve: Anderson showed signs of getting out of the funk late in the term, with a shutout of Pittsburgh followed by a win over the Bruins.