Craig AndersonOn Thursday, he won his 300th NHL game. He is the sixth American-born goalie to reach this milestone.
BuffaloIn a 3-1 win,’s netminder, 41, accomplished the feat while making 31 saves. Vegas. The Park Ridge, Illinois native trails only Tom Barrasso Ryan Miller Mike Richter Jonathan Quick, Mike Richter, Mike Richter and John Vanbiesbrouck in wins by American goalies.
Anderson’s journey to the 300 club was not an easy one. Anderson was drafted in the 73rd round by Chicago in 2001. Anderson lost 15 of his first 15 NHL matches (0-11-4) and wasn’t a regular starter with Colorado until 2009-10. Anderson’s career high of 71 games that season remains unbeaten. He also had a career-high 2.63 GAA and a.917SV%.
The Colorado team traded Anderson to Ottawa midway through the next season. Anderson’s career would be enriched by this trade.
Anderson made 47 saves in his first game as Senator. Anderson was poised to be one the NHL’s best goalies in 2011-12 with 29 wins in 56 matches. He was then injured in February.
Anderson continued to generate buzz around the Vezina Trophy that year, before being again hurt mid-February. Anderson excelled in Ottawa throughout the seasons, setting a franchise record of 147 wins in March 2017 and breaking Patrick Lalime’s record for most wins.
Anderson’s 2011-17 record with the Senators was 140-94-33. He also had a.919SV%, 2.62 GAA, and a record of.919SV%. These numbers would decline steadily over the next few years, even though Anderson would still be in Ottawa. Anderson was only 20 wins away to 300 in March 2020 when the COVID-19 epidemic struck and closed down the NHL. Ottawa didn’t play again until next season, so the club decided to leave Anderson.
Anderson was determined to remain in the game. Anderson signed a professional tryout agreement with the Washington CapitalsHe was awarded a one year contract in December 2020. Although he was mostly a practice goalie who made only four games for the Capitals, he did enough to be a good enough player (.915 SV% and 2.13 GAA) for Buffalo to take a chance on him.
Anderson signed a $750,000, one-year deal with the Sabres in July. Anderson started well, going 4-2-0. He was then again sidelined by a neck injury in early November. After a lengthy rehabilitation, Anderson was able to protect Buffalo’s crease until January. He managed to produce a respectable 45-0 record and a respectable.897 SV% in his rebuilding Sabres debut.