Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) – The biggest reason the Buffalo Sabres beat the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday was because Craig Anderson was stellar.
Even when the Kings were outshooting the Sabres, 24-6, many of the shots came from the outside. But Anderson had the easy ones and the hard ones for a 40-save shutout in a 6-0 win.
Anderson also does a terrific job of fighting through traffic to see point shots. The 41-year-old is seventh in the NHL amongst goalies that have played at least 10 games with a save percentage of .921.
Sabres head coach Don Granato has said numerous times he only uses the veteran goalie on rest. Since he has been the Sabres' best goalie, by far, many want him to play more.
“Any of us that have aged, we know that as you age, it’s more challenging to get up and go. And factor that it’s the highest level in the world, I mean, he didn’t wake up this morning like you and I, and everybody else," said Granato on Tuesday. "You play a game in the NHL, you wake up the next morning, you’re feeling it.”
Generally, Anderson has had about a week in-between starts. The big exception is he started Nov. 12 against the Boston Bruins, and then Nov. 15 against the Vancouver Canucks. In the second game, he surrendered five goals on 32 shots.
The next night in Ottawa, Eric Comrie got hurt against the Senators, and Anderson was forced to play 25:33, giving up one goal on 15 shots.
In the end, he played in three games in five days, and gave up nine goals on 77 shots.
Anderson also had the same turnaround when he faced the New Jersey Devils and gave up three goals.
“The recovery period in-between, until you can get your game back up to that high level is different," Granato said. "I want to make sure we’re putting all our guys in position to succeed.
“For Craig, I think the work-to-rest ratio is something that’s significant to his ability to play at the level we saw [Tuesday] night.”
Don’t forget that Anderson fought through injuries last season, and Granato hasn’t forgotten that.
“You also have in your mind that he’s a guy that’s gone through some injuries. The more you play a guy that’s tired and not recovered fully, the greater the risk for injury," Granato said. "If you want to know what I’m thinking, that goes through my mind as well.”
Often during TV timeouts, you’ll see Anderson over at the bench talking.
During one of the early timeouts on Tuesday, he was chatting with the forwards, and Granato likes when his veteran goalie does that.
“Craig is always really calm and really settling," he said. "You don’t want your team rattled. You might not feel good, but just get through this, it doesn’t have to be pretty. Keep things simple, be hard on pucks, and it’s just simple messages. He has a presence, and when he comes to the bench on a timeout, the guys are glued on him. It’s always very logical. He speaks from a lot of experience, and it’s on point.”
Later in the game, defenseman Casey Fitzgerald spent a full TV timeout with Anderson.
“The best thing about 'Andy' is his communication skills, and it goes both ways," Fitzgerald said on Wednesday. "When he has something to tell us, and right there that was just point shots coming through, which way he wants you boxing guys out and what’s easier for him.
“It’s just get on the same page, because especially with a D-man, communication with your goalie is huge. It can make all the difference in a game. He’s played a long time, he’s a pro, and he knows what it takes to win. That’s been awesome for us.”
Defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin returned to practice on Wednesday for the Sabres. Granato says he won’t play Thursday in Colorado against the Avalanche, but he hasn’t closed the door on Saturday in Arizona against the Coyotes.
Granato also says Vinnie Hinostroza is ready to play. Kyle Okposo and Jacob Bryson were given maintenance days on Wednesday, but are on the trip out West.
