Andy! Andy! Andy!
If you’ve spent any time in the Canadian Tire Centre over the last decade or so, there’s a good chance you’ve heard those words echo out around you. After an absurd save, after a playoff game stolen or as the PA announcer belted out the name of the game’s first star.
For a ten years, Craig Anderson was this team’s backbone. And while it wasn’t always at an elite level necessarily, Anderson really made you appreciate the value of a true number one goaltender. Knowing you had a guy you could count on and especially, when the games meant something. While Anderson is the franchise leaders in categories like games, wins and saves, it was the way that he elevated his game in the post-season that sticks in the mind years later.
There may have been guys with more skill and maybe even guys that were better over a short period of time but there’s no doubt that Craig Anderson is the most important goalie in the history of the Ottawa Senators.
And tonight- the Sens get to hang seven to ten goals on him as the Ottawa Senators visit the Buffalo Sabres.
This organization has seen some fairly dramatic departures over the last few years but there’s always been something about Anderson’s that just felt, incomplete. It was time to move on, sure, but it seemed like we never really got to say goodbye. And maybe more importantly, to just show him the appreciation he deserves.
It won’t happen in Buffalo tonight obviously but here’s hoping one day, the Senators find a way to honour Craig Anderson. Because he certainly deserves it.
A couple lineup notes ahead of this one.
Thomas Chabot will miss a second straight game on the blueline although it sounds like there’s a chance he could return early next week. Matt Murray is also unavailable but he could be back this weekend.
One change expected for the Senators as Austin Watson returns from his two game suspension. He’ll take Clarke Bishop’s spot in the lineup. Here’s how the Sens are expected to arrange themselves for this evening’s festivities.
Tkachuk-Paul-Brown
Formenton- Stützle-Gaudette
Kelly -Tierney-Sanford
Watson-Gambrell-Ennis
Mete-Zaitsev
Holden-Zub
Brannstrom-Brown
The recently recalled Filip Gustavsson is expected to get the start in goal for the Senators.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:08 PM. The game is available on TSN5, RDS2 and on the radio at TSN1200. If streaming is more your speed, I know a guy who knows a guy. Both guys are named Bort.
Wondering how the Senators match-up against the perpetually terrible Buffalo Sabres? The answer may surprise you.
| HEAD2HEAD |  |
 |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 17-25-4 (38 pts) | 16-24-8 (40 pts) |
| Goals For | 2.67 (24th) | 2.69 (23rd) |
| Goals Against | 3.24 (23rd) | 3.46 (T-26th) |
| Power Play | 16.9% (26th) | 20.0% (T-16th) |
| Penalty Kill | 80.9% (13th) | 75.8% (25th) |
| Shots For | 29.9 (20th) | 29.3 (27th) |
| Shots Against | 34.0 (27th) | 34.8 (31st) |
| Leading Scorers | Tkachuk- 35 pts Batherson- 34 pts Norris- 26 pts Brown- 24 pts Chabot- 24 pts |
Skinner- 34 pts Thompson- 34 pts Dahlin- 31 pts Okposo- 26 pts Cozens- 24 pts |
| Starting Goalie | Filip Gustavsson 3-8-1 3.79 GAA, .892 sv% |
Craig Anderson 6-3-0 2.67 GAA, .916 sv% |
