Sens’ net duties up in the air
PLAYOFF HUNT: Coach delaying decision for crucial game due to injury concerns
DETROIT — The last time Andrew Hammond played at Joe Louis Arena, he made 54 saves. The last time Craig Anderson played in the old barn, he stopped 39 shots.
Now, for the Senators to keep their own dreams of the playoffs alive, either Hammond or Anderson needs to lead the club out of its three-game tailspin.
The Senators are once again in chase mode, three points behind the Boston Bruins for the final wildcard playoff position in the Eastern Conference. The Senators have seven games remaining in the regular season, the Bruins have six.
Senators coach Dave Cameron wasn’t ready to make the pivotal goaltending decision Monday, partly because neither goaltender is in tip-top health.
“They both practised Monday,” Cameron said before his team’s afternoon flight to Detroit. “They’re both coming off injuries.
“I want to see if they’re healthy, that’s the main thing.”
Hammond hasn’t played since being pulled after allowing all five goals in Thursday’s 5-1 loss to the New York Rangers, a defeat that ended his run of picking up at least a point in his first 15 NHL starts. He acknowledged trying to play through back problems but insists he’s ready to go Tuesday.
“I got some rest and a lot of treatment,” he said. “It’s to the point where I can play. And play well.”
Hammond, 14-1-1 with a 1.92 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage, has never faced the Red Wings. Back in his college days, though, he came oh, so close to leading underdog Bowling Green past Michigan University at The Joe in a 2010-11 Central Collegiate Hockey Association semifinal, ultimately losing 3-2 in double overtime.
Anderson, meanwhile, deflected questions about the condition of his right (blocker) hand, which kept him out of the lineup most of February and March.
He was in net for weekend losses to the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers and is 0-2-1 in his past three starts. His last game in Detroit was Nov. 24.
Anderson kept the Senators in that game early — at one point the game was tied 1-1 and the Red Wings led 24-7 in shots — but the Senators lost 4-3.
If you’re looking at recent history, you might bet on Hammond getting the start. When the Senators faced a pivotal game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on March 12, Hammond got the call and ended up with the victory in a 5-2 win.