Five Reasons To Be Optimistic About The Ottawa Senators This Season

Apr 2, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) is unable to stop a shot on goal by the New York Islanders on a powerplay in the first period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

3. Craig Anderson, underdog

There is no denying that Anderson was less than stellar last season, and I would (and did) argue that he was terrible.  However, as streaky as Anderson has been in his career, he has traditionally played his best hockey when there were no expectations on the team.  From the great purge of 2011 when he first joined the club and the Senators started this rebuild, to the Pesky Sens, Anderson shone in those situations.  When there were some expectations, Anderson seemed to wilt under pressure and didn’t perform as you would expect.

Well, expectations are relatively low even in the most optimistic fans’ eyes, and that is where Anderson tends to excel.