On Tuesday night, 41-year-old Buffalo Sabres goaltender Craig Anderson made history by becoming just the second goaltender since 1955 to record a shutout with 40 or more saves at the age of 41 or older. The only other goaltender to accomplish this feat was Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Johnny Bower, who did it for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1966 and 1967.
Anderson, who currently plays for the Buffalo Sabres, was stellar in net, turning away all 40 shots he faced to lead his team to a 6-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings It was a vintage performance from the veteran netminder, who has been in the league for a long time and is known to be a solid goaltender.
The win was a much-needed one for the Sabres, who have struggled in recent years and are currently in the midst of a rebuilding process. Anderson, who has been with the team since 2021, has been a steadying presence as a back up and a veteran in the locker room.
This shutout was also a personal milestone for Anderson, who has had a long and successful NHL career. He was drafted in 2001 by the Chicago Blackhawks, but has also played for the Colorado Avalanche, the Florida Panthers, Ottawa Senators, Washington Capitals, and now the Buffalo Sabres. In total, he has appeared in almost 700 games and has a career save percentage of .912.
While Anderson may not be the flashiest goaltender in the league, he has proven time and time again that he can be relied upon to be a solid goaltender. His performance on Tuesday night was a testament to his longevity and continued effectiveness as a goaltender in the NHL.
It remains to be seen how much longer Anderson will continue to play, but for now, he remains an important part of the Senators’ plans and a valuable contributor to the team. His 40-save shutout will go down in history as one of the greatest performances by a goaltender at the age of 41 or older, and will certainly be remembered by fans and players alike.
