Craig Anderson will return to the Ottawa Senators lineup Friday night against the Montreal Canadiens, coach Paul MacLean confirmed Thursday.
Anderson has not played since Feb. 22 after he cut his hand with a knife preparing food at his home after the game. He is 29-19-6 this season with a .913 save percentage and a 2.85 goals against average.
"I felt pretty good out there. I had a good practice today and everything is kind of back on track," Anderson said to Ian Mendes of Rogers Sportsnet.
The Senators have gone 5-5-2 in Anderson's absence, holding steady in seventh place in the Eastern Conference (though Ottawa did pass Boston for one day at the top of the Northeast Division). General manager Bryan Murray traded for St. Louis Blues prospect Ben Bishop before the deadline, and Bishop has posted strong numbers (3-2-2, .925 save percentage, 1.96 GAA) since his arrival.