Craig Anderson has one eye on family, one on puck

Goalie Craig Anderson has traveled a long, hard road to leading the Ottawa Senators into tonight’s Game 2 of the NHL Eastern Conference Final.

The long road Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson is traveling keeps getting longer … and longer …

Entering tonight’s Game 2 of the NHL Eastern Conference finals, Anderson is living an existence of keeping one eye on his ailing wife and one on the puck. If anyone deserves a nod as a Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy finalist, it’s Anderson. As a family man and teammate, Anderson is someone “who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey,” as the award mandates.

Imagine taking three leaves of absence from team activities to care for his wife, Nicholle, who was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma in October, and returning to arguably play the best hockey of his career?

That’s focus. That’s determination.

Anderson turned aside 27 shots in Game 1 Saturday, leading the Senators to a 2-1 overtime victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. During the postseason, Anderson is 9-4 with a 2.37 GAA and .917 save percentage.

Yes, this is the same goalie who started his NHL journey on the hard, bumpy road, losing 13 consecutive decisions and 17 of 18.

Here and there

A native of Park Ridge, Illinois, Anderson, 35, was drafted in the third round of the 2001 draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. For about five years, the baby-faced Anderson battled Michael Leighton for backup duties to Jocelyn Thibault and Nikolai Khabibulin. He mostly struggled in front of a porous defense and half-empty United Center. Anderson made his debut Nov. 30, 2002 and finally recorded his first win on Jan. 22, 2004. When he was placed on waivers in January 2006, Anderson really hit the road. From Chicago to Boston to St. Louis and back to Chicago, all in a span of 15 days. The following off-season, he was traded to Florida.

Two seasons followed in Colorado, where Anderson began to emerge as a late-blooming starter.

Then came Ottawa, which is becoming the journeyman’s home.

Anderson cemented his stature with Senators fans by turning aside 37 New York Rangers’ shots last Tuesday, clinching the second-round series in six games. Anderson assisted on Erik Karlsson’s game-winning goal.

Anderson’s absences

Finally established as a front-line goalie, Anderson is also a husband and father of two. The organization complimented Anderson’s desire to be with Nicholle and their children during her fight with cancer. Backup goalie Mike Condon played a key role. He helped keep the Senators in position to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs during Anderson’s absences.

Nicholle’s bravery is also being celebrated. Anderson’s first return to the team came after his wife said, “your team needs you right now.” His first game back, he made 37 saves in a 2-0 shutout victory over the Edmonton Oilers.

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Since coming back from his third stint as caregiver, Anderson has helped inspire the club. Anderson will be looking for the Senators to continue frustrating the Penguins tonight with their version of a 1-3-1 defensive formation. It stifled the Penguins throughout the opener.

Steady but rarely dominant, Anderson hasn’t been the best goalie in the playoffs. But he’s still on the postseason path, still leading, still caring for his wife.

One eye on his family, one on the puck.