Craig Anderson’s 45 Saves Lead Ottawa Over Pittsburgh, Forces Game 7

Facing eliminations, Ottawa Goalie Craig Anderson had a big time performance as the Senators edged the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 in Ottawa in Game 6 of the NHL Eastern Conference Finals on May 23rd. Anderson gave up a goal to Evgeni Malkin at 4:51 of the second period, but stopped all the rest of the 45 shots the Penguins fired at him. The win tied the series at 3-3, forcing a decisive Game 7 in Pittsburgh on May 25th. The winner will face the Nashville Predators in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Anderson redeemed himself after a real stinker of a performance in Game 5, when he was pulled after allowing four goals in the first period in Pittsburgh’s 7-0 rout of the Senators. Malkin’s goal opened the scoring in the game; Bobby Ryan tied it with a power play goal at 13:15 in the second period. Mike Huffman scored what proved to be the game winner at 1:34 of the 3rd period, and Anderson stopped everything the Penguins could shoot at him to hold on for the victory. Matt Murray had a good game in goal for Pittsburgh with 28 saves, but comes away with a loss.