Senators lose 6-2 to Canadiens after Anderson's brutal game
[Corsi] [Head-to-head] [Zone starts] [Scoring Chances]
The Ottawa Senators were cruising early in the game. They had scored soon after the start by dominating possession in the Montreal zone. Given a power play to extend their 1-0 lead, and with the shots 11-2 in Ottawa's favour, Erik Karlsson bobbled the puck at the blue line. Karlsson, however, chased back well and kept Lars Eller to the outside on the left wing. Eller managed to score anyway on a goal that Craig Anderson really should have stopped. Tomas Plekanec made it 2-1 on a deflection and Mike Cammalleri sent the Habs into the intermission up 3-1. The shots were 13-5 for Ottawa.
Anderson returned for the start of the second period, but he didn't last long. Jared Cowen broke his stick and was caught but it was another shot that Anderson should have stopped. That was the nail in the coffin and Anderson was pulled at this point, allowing 4 goals on 7 shots. P.K. Subban scored shortly after Alex Auld's entrance but Jason Spezza scored to give the Senators some hope.
Ottawa really did not play too well after Anderson gave up that 1-1 goal and while they had their chances, the game was long over. Erik Cole scored on a 5-on-3 late in the game to finish the scoring in a 6-2 Montreal win.
Sens zero: Craig Anderson
When you give up 4 goals on 7 shots, it is a terrible performance by any measure. When two of the four goals are very stoppable, it makes it even worse. Every time the puck was in the Ottawa zone, it would be a cringe worthy moment circa Brian Elliott 2010-2011. Anderson now has a 3.36 GAA and .896 save percentage. Elliott's numbers in Ottawa last season were a 3.19 GAA and an .894 save percentage. Was the defence really that much better for Elliott last year? It is a good thing Ottawa is scoring a lot this season, because Anderson has not been noticeably better than Elliott was last season. Maybe it is just that when Anderson is bad, he is really, really, bad. Whatever the case, Ottawa needs much better play from him.
Senators hero: None
Ottawa started pretty well but seemed deflated after the 1-1 goal. Kyle Turris and Bobby Butler were looking dangerous early on, but no one had a truly hero worthy game.
Shot Chart
Game Highlights
