CONDON ‘SAVED SEASON’ FOR SENS
Goaltender played 27 consecutive games to keep team afloat in Anderson’s absence
Of all the compelling stories en route to the Ottawa Senators making the playoffs this season, the tale of goaltender Mike Condon is at the top.
It’s not too much to suggest the Senators went a long way to saving Condon’s NHL career. It’s not a leap to suggest Condon paid the Senators back by saving their season.
Condon played in a franchiserecord 27 consecutive games in December and January, keeping the Senators afloat while No. 1 goaltender Craig Anderson was supporting his wife, Nicholle, in her battle with throat cancer.
“The fact he was able to take that many games in a row with the circumstances we were dealt, has definitely saved the season,” said Senators coach Guy Boucher, who handed the net to Condon for Sunday’s regular season finale against the New York Islanders. “Let’s not kid ourselves. If you don’t have a goalie, it doesn’t matter what we do five on five. It doesn’t matter what the culture is.”
Condon’s season began in flux. After he was placed on waivers by the Montreal Canadiens following training camp, he appeared headed to The Rock — to St. John’s of the American Hockey League — where he believed he might get forgotten.
The first 29 NHL teams that had a chance to claim Condon off waivers passed.
The only team left was the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins, who lost Matt Murray to injury. Condon was a temporary Band-Aid, playing all of six minutes with Pittsburgh.
But when Anderson first left the Senators and Andrew Hammond suffered the first of his many injuries, Senators general manager Pierre Dorion pounced, grabbing Condon for a fifth-round draft pick.
The rest is, well, a second Cinderella goaltending story in three seasons for the Senators. Condon entered Sunday’s game with a 19-13-6 record, a 2.46 goals against average and a .916 save percentage. He also matched Anderson with five shutouts. Between them, their 10 blankings tied a franchise record.
Condon continues to take everything in stride, always recognizing how close he was to spending the season lost in Newfoundland.
“I’m just kind of thankful I got a chance to contribute in the middle of the heart of the season when Andy couldn’t be here,” he said. “It’s just nice to be part of something where you can feel you made a contribution.”
The shutouts are great, but he offers shoutouts to those blocking shots in front of him on the ice. He only wishes the Senators could have shut the door in the final minute of Saturday’s 3-1 win over the New York Rangers, turning up the shutout count to 11.
“That’s a tough one, (Mika Zibanejad scoring) with only 44 seconds left. We would have liked to get that one for Andy, but (stuff ) happens,” he said.
Sunday’s game didn’t mean much in the light of the upcoming playoffs, but it was one last chance for Condon to get some work, just in case he’s needed to fill in for Anderson once again.
Anderson and the Senators suffered a scare in the third period Saturday when his left knee was bumped during a goalmouth collision. Meanwhile, in Toronto, Saturday, Maple Leafs No. 1 goaltender Frederik Anderson was knocked out of the game, forcing backup Curtis McElhinney into the pressure-packed situation.
“Every game is important for me and I want to be ready for playoffs, Condon said. “Anything can happen. It’s all about staying in the moment, staying ready.”
ON THE INJURY FRONT
The Senators are leaving open the possibility that Marc Methot, still dealing with a shattered baby finger on his left hand, might not be ready for the opening game of the post-season. “Methot is probably the one that’s the tightest” among all the injured players, said Boucher. “If it’s not the first game, he’ll most probably be back for the second game, but we’re hoping for the first game.” Erik Karlsson and Zack Smith are expected to be ready to go.
LINING THINGS UP
Boucher experimented with a Mike Hoffman-Jean-Gabriel Pageau-Mark Stone line Saturday. When the coaching staff gets together Monday to assess how to best to approach the playoffs, that potential unit will certainly be on the table … The Senators coach also liked the looks of the Clarke MacArthur-Kyle Turris Ryan Dzingel unit ... MacArthur’s progression since return from his concussions has gone according to plan. He played 9:44 against Detroit on Tuesday, 11:15 versus Boston on Thursday and 16:25 in Saturday’s game against the Rangers.