Sens goalie Anderson named NHL first star after resilient shutout in Edmonton

NEW YORK — Ottawa Senators goaltender Craig Anderson, who rebounded from personal tragedy to post a resilient shutout Sunday night in Edmonton, has been named the NHL’s first star of the week.

Anderson took a leave of absence last week following the cancer diagnosis of his wife Nicholle, but he returned with a 37-save shutout in a 2-0 triumph over the Oilers.

The veteran goalie also made 22 saves in a 3-0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. Anderson stopped all 59 shots he faced last week, earning consecutive shutouts for the third time in his career.

The 35-year-old native of Park Ridge, Ill., has a 5-1-0 record with a 2.46 goals-against average, .921 save percentage and two shutouts in six appearances this season.