AROUND THE NHL
The unknown goalie Craig Anderson isn't getting much support in the fans' all-star voting, but the Florida goalie is putting together some eye-opening numbers.
The unknown goalie
Craig Anderson isn't getting much support in the fans' all-star voting, but the Florida goalie is putting together some eye-opening numbers.
Entering the weekend, Anderson had a staggering .946 save percentage - tops in the league - and had notched three shutouts. His goals-against average (1.94) was second in the league.
He made 41 saves in Thursday's 2-0 win at Edmonton. Anderson is 10-1-3 when he faces 40 or more shots.
"It keeps my mind on the game," he told the NHL Network, referring to a shot barrage, "and I don't have to think that much. When you think too much, things go south."
Anderson entered the weekend with 817 all-star votes from fans.
Montreal's Carey Price (2.37 GAA; .920 save percentage) had 647,498 votes, tops among Eastern Conference goalies.
Can you say
farce
?
Luongo hurting
Speaking of top-notch goalies, Vancouver captain Roberto Luongo experienced soreness in his injured groin and did not join his teammates on a trip to Edmonton for last night's game against the Oilers.
There is still no timetable for Luongo's return. He was injured on Nov. 22, but still leads the NHL with five shutouts. He has an 11-5-2 record, 2.17 goals-against average and .926 save percentage.
The Flyers play at Vancouver on Dec. 30.
Spectrum flashback
The Flyers' Tom Bladon set an NHL record for points by a defenseman in a single game with eight - four goals and four assists - in an 11-1 win over visiting Cleveland on Dec. 11, 1977.
You could look it up.
(P.S. Dec. 11 seems to be a pretty good date for the Flyers. Three nights ago on that date, the Flyers made the best late-game comeback in their history, erasing a 5-1 third-period deficit and defeating Carolina, 6-5, in overtime.)
- Sam Carchidi