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?

Mar 10, 2012; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) in the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at Scotiabank Place. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-US PRESSWIRE

The NHL Awards have largely been ignored by Sens fans for the past few years. However, time’s have changed and heading into the 2012 NHL Awards there was quite a bit of talk in the Nation’s capital. Three Senators were up for awards, Erik Karlsson for the Norris, Daniel Alfredsson for the Masterton and Paul MacLean for the Jack Adams. In the eyes of Sens fans Karlsson and MacLean had reasonable shots of bringing home the hardware. (more…)