Senators’ Anderson to miss fourth game due to personal reasons

Mark Stone, Bobby Ryan, Zack Smith, and Guy Boucher talk about rallying around Craig Anderson and his wife Nicholle after her cancer diagnosis, and what it’s like for him to be in the lineup.

Andrew Bottomley November 30, 2016, 1:09 PM

Craig Anderson is taking an indefinite leave of absence due to personal reasons and will not be available for Thursday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers, the team announced on Wednesday.

As anticipated Craig Anderson has left the team (personal) and isn't expected to be available tomorrow night.

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) November 30, 2016

Anderson’s wife, Nicholle, was diagnosed with throat cancer in late October when he first took a leave of absence, and Wednesday marks the first day in her chemotherapy and radiation treatment in New York.

Today's the day towards brighter days! ☀️#onestepcloser

— Nicholle Anderson (@xonichollexo) November 30, 2016

This will be the fourth game that Anderson has missed to help care for his family. The Senators have a 1-2 record in the other three games he’s been out, losing 5-1 to the Nashville Predators on Nov. 17 when he last missed a game.

In 18 games this season, Anderson is 12-5-1 with a .930 save percentage and 2.20 goals-against average, and he is one of the reasons why the Senators got off to such a hot start (14-8-1).

Net-minding duties will be left to Mike Condon (2-1-0) and Andrew Hammond (0-1-0).

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