Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Craig Anderson is the NHL’s first star of the week

Ottawa Senators v Dallas Stars

DALLAS, TX - NOVEMBER 24: Craig Anderson #41 of the Ottawa Senators celebrates with Erik Karlsson #65 of the Ottawa Senators after the Senators scored against the Dallas Stars in the third period at American Airlines Center on November 24, 2015 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Last week, Devan Dubnyk became the first goalie in Wild history to post three straight shutouts.

And Shea Weber scored five points and a pair of game-winning goals.

Terrific performances, sure, but here’s guessing everybody -- even Dubnyk and Weber themselves -- appreciates who got the NHL’s first star of the week.

Craig Anderson, who returned to the Senators after learning of his wife’s cancer diagnosis, put forth a remarkable effort Sunday night, turning aside all 37 shots faced against Edmonton for an emotional 2-0 victory.

Fittingly, he was named No. 1 star on Monday.

From the league:

Anderson stopped all 59 shots he faced to post a 2-0-0 record and guide the Senators (5-3-0, 10 points) to third place in the Atlantic Division. He made 22 saves in a 3-0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks Oct. 25.

Anderson then took a leave of absence following the cancer diagnosis of his wife, Nicholle, but returned with a 37-save shutout in a 2-0 triumph over the Edmonton Oilers Oct. 30. The 35-year-old Park Ridge, Ill., native has earned consecutive shutouts for the third time in his career – and first time in nearly a year (Nov. 19-21, 2015).

He owns a 5-1-0 record with a 2.46 goals-against average, .921 save percentage and two shutouts in six appearances this season.

More: ‘What a team is all about’ – Sens, Oilers on Anderson’s night

Anderson’s return came after Sens backup Andrew Hammond was injured just minutes into Friday’s loss in Calgary, a game in which 22-year-old AHL recall Chris Driedger was thrown into action -- and allowed four goals on 15 shots.

On Saturday, Ottawa GM Pierre Dorion held an emotional presser in which he announced Nicholle’s cancer diagnosis, adding that she asked her husband to return to the team.