Craig Anderson ahead in Vezina Race

Some of this season’s best goaltenders find themselves in an even time share. Corey Crawford of the Chicago Blackhawks has started 14 games and is second in the National Hockey League with a 1.41 goals-against average and .940 save percentage. Viktor Fasth of the Anaheim Ducks has come on strong in place of Jonas Hiller, posting a 9-1-1 record and 2.08 GAA with 11 starts.

Other goaltending leaders have dealt with injuries and haven’t played as many games as the season reaches the halfway point. Craig Anderson of the Ottawa Senators leads the League with a 1.49 GAA and .952 save percentage, but an ankle injury has limited him to 15 games. Kari Lehtonen has carried theDallas Stars this season with a 2.26 GAA and .930 save percentage, but has started 13 games because of a groin injury.

How will general managers decide on this year’s Vezina winner if the trend continues? As of now, Crawford, Fasth, Anderson and Lehtonen have played less than 65 percent of their teams’ games. Will GMs reward the flashy numbers, or the goaltenders who carry a far heavier load in this shortened season and have less-impressive numbers?

At this point, NHL.com is awarding the Vezina to Anderson, who has been the best goaltender during the first half of the season. Anderson banked a lot of his numbers before getting hurt -- he's been out since Feb. 21 -- but he’s still been the most impressive to this point.

Anderson Signs Big Contract

The last-place Ottawa Senators have signed goalie Craig Anderson to a four-year, $12.75 million contract.

Anderson was acquired Feb. 18 in a trade with Colorado. He also has played for Chicago and Florida. With the Senators, he is 6-4-1 with one shutout, a .938 save percentage and 2.11 goals-against average.

Ottawa general manager Bryan Murray said Monday the 29-year-old goalie has brought "stability" to the Senators, and goaltending is crucial "if you're going to rebuild, retool this team."

Anderson would have been eligible to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. He will earn $2.75 million next season, $3 million in 2012-13 and $3.5 million in the final two years of the deal, which extends his current contract.

Source: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=556721#&navid=nhl-search

Craig Anderson with a Shot at Team USA?

Colorado's goaltender Craig Anderson is by far one of the best goalies in the NHL right now. He was standing on Vancouver soil on Sunday night and should be here again later on this month for another game between the Canucks and Avalanche and then aren't scheduled to visit Vancouver till April. But I don't think Anderson would mind coming back in between for the Olympics as the team USA goaltender. Anderson, whom Canucks coach Alain Vigneault called "the best player in the NHL right now" and who was named the NHL's first star for October on Monday, would love to make a side trip to the Winter Olympics as a goalie for Team USA.

Craig Anderson's Avalanche Surprise

New this year to the Colorado Avalanche line-up is goaltender Craig Anderson, formerly playing with the Florida Panthers. He may be new, but he is playing like he has been on the Avalanche for years. He has played a solid total of 11 games. He has 8 wins and only 1 loss and 2 overtime losses. He has already beat teams like last years Stanley Cup finalists the Detroit Red Wings twice, and shutout last years Stanley Cup champs the Pittsburgh Penguins. He has a 2.14 goals against average and a 0.936 save percentage. If he keeps this up, he could take them a long way in the playoffs.