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Goalie nods: With Anderson hurt, Condon ready for ‘big challenge’ against streaking Bolts

Ottawa Senators v New York Islanders

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 18: Mike Condon #1 of the Ottawa Senators tends net against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on December 18, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Senators defeated the Islanders 6-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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The Sens lost co-leading goalscorer Mark Stone to an injury yesterday and, today, lost their No. 1 netminder to one as well.

Craig Anderson, like Stone, has suffered a lower-body ailment, one that will shelf him for tonight’s all-important tilt against the Lightning. That means Mike Condon will go for the Sens -- who are looking for their seventh win in a row -- against a streaking Tampa Bay club that’s 11-2-3 over its last 16 games.

“This is the job here,” Condon said, per the Ottawa Citizen. “You’ve got to be prepared for moments like this and I’m excited about a big challenge.”

Condon’s been used sparingly in March, with just one start -- an OT win over Arizona in which he played very well, making 39 saves. Part of his limited action was because Ottawa wanted to get Anderson caught up after missing extensive time to be with his wife, Nicholle, while she underwent cancer treatment.

Anderson responded well to the heavy workload, going 5-0-0 this month with a .931 save percentage. It’s unclear exactly what his injury issue is, or how long it’ll sideline him for.

As for the Bolts, they know tonight’s game is massive. With a win and regulation losses from the Leafs and Islanders, they can move into sole possession of the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. Fittingly, they’ll be going with the red-hot Andrei Vasilevskiy in goal.

Elsewhere...

-- Terrific matchup in Washington between last year’s Vezina winner, and the favorite for this year: Braden Holtby for the Caps, and Devan Dubnyk for the Wild.

-- The ‘Canes and Isles meet for the second time in as many nights, following last night’s wild 8-4 Carolina victory. That game was a nightmare for all goalies involved, and neither team has named a starter for this evening.

-- Corey Crawford, fresh off a 42-save win over Minnesota on Sunday, goes for the ‘Hawks in Montreal. He’ll be up against his Team Canada teammate at the World Cup, as Carey Price goes for the Habs.

-- James Reimer gets to face his old team tonight, as the Panthers host the Leafs. Frederik Andersen, who’s won three straight, goes for Toronto.

-- Surprise! Cam Talbot is starting for the Oilers again. He’ll be up against Antti Niemi, who gets the call for Dallas after replacing Kari Lehtonen in Sunday’s blowout loss to San Jose.

-- Mike Smith gets a night off after setting the Coyotes’ franchise shutout record on Monday, meaning Louis Domingue goes in L.A. No word yet on a Kings starter, but Jonathan Quick played last night against St. Louis. So it could be Ben Bishop this evening.

-- The Sabres will go with Robin Lehner after he backstopped them to a comeback win over Columbus on Saturday. The host Sharks will start Martin Jones.