The Readers Grade The Senators – The Goalies
In late June/Early July, I went through the Senators roster and gave grades to each player based on their performance for the season. I also asked readers to vote their opinions and now I will compile them and give the results of that voting and compare them to what I gave them.
I will start with the netminders.
May 17, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators goalie Robin Lehner (40) talks to goalie Craig Anderson (41) during a time-out against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period in game two of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 24, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) makes a save against Pittsburgh Penguins left wing
Matt Cooke(24) during the third period in game five of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 6-2 to close out the series. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
You can find the original post with Anderson’s season recap HERE
My Grade: A
The Fans say: SenShot readers agreed with my assessment, with 85% of respondents also giving him an A. The remaining 15% gave him a B. I can only guess that is due to the time he missed because of his ankle injury.
Apr 11, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators goalie Robin Lehner (40) makes a save against Philadelphia Flyers center
Sean Couturier(14) during the third period at the Wells Fargo Center. The Senators defeated the Flyers, 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
You can find the original post with Lehner’s season recap HERE
My Grade: A
The Fans say: Once again, readers agreed with my assessment. 90% of the voters gave Lehner an A, with the remaining 10% grading him with a B.
LOOKING AHEAD
Goaltending, from both the two players who finished the season as well as Ben Bishop who was dealt at the trade deadline, was the cornerstone of the season. Their performance allowed the Senators to make the playoffs and win a round in the post-season. It has been some time (maybe first time) since the Senators crease has been as consistently good as it was in 2013. This can and should continue into 2013-14 and will make the Senators a true contender in the Atlantic Division.