Senators’ Craig Anderson to start Saturday against Sabres

Senators GM Pierre Dorion discusses the organization doing whatever’s best for Craig and Nicole Anderson through these tough times, allowing him to play the nets however he seems fit.

Ottawa Senators goaltender Craig Anderson is expected to start Saturday night against the Buffalo Sabres.

Anderson had taken a leave of absence from the team after his wife Nicholle was diagnosed with cancer.

At her urging, the 35-year-old rejoined the team in Edmonton after backup Andrew Hammond went down with a groin injury.

The Senators netminder recorded a shutout against the Oilers, but left the team after.

Mike Condon was traded for from Pittsburgh, and recorded a shutout of his own in his debut with the Senators on Thursday.

“With Craig it’s really day to day and whenever he can make it, he’s playing,” said coach Guy Boucher. “Whenever he can’t make it, Condon is ready to go, as we saw [Thursday].

“It’s really going to be a day-to-day thing whenever he’s available. He’s our No. 1 and we’re going to treat him that way. The minute we don’t have access to the great things he brings us then we’ll deal with it.”

To support Nicholle’s fight, the Senators will wear a sticker on their helmets reading: “Stick by Nik”.

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