Who Is The Real Craig Anderson?

Mar 8, 2014; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) during the first period against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Ottawa wins 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

Ever since the Ottawa Senators acquired Craig Anderson from the Colorado Avalanche for Brian Elliott, the current Ottawa starting goalie has been like a yo-yo.

The short stint right after he was acquired was pretty good.  He played 18 games with the Senators and posted a 2.05 GAA and .939 SP.  Then, after signing a 4 year deal he had an off year, with his GAA rising by more than half a goal, to 2.84 while his save percentage fell to an average .914.

Then came the lockout, and after that he was lights out, posting an unbelievable and league leading 1.69 GAA and .941 SP while dealing with an ankle injury.  Then this year, inexplicably, his numbers dropped once again to new depths with a GAA of 3.10 and SP of .908.

Meanwhile, the team shots against haven’t varied to the point where it would be a determining factor to making Anderson’s statistical fluctuation.

So, the Senators have another year of Anderson between the pipes, and given the trend of the previous 4 seasons in a Senators uniform it should be a dynamite season.  That is if the trend continues.

The X-factor is Robin Lehner, who hasn’t been able to usurp the starting role despite having multiple opportunities to do so this season through Anderson’s sub-par play and injuries.  Lehner has been equally shaky in his time in the goal, and the fact is, the Senators cannot count on consistent goaltending going forward, like they thought they could last season when they traded Ben Bishop to Tampa.