Craig Anderson removed from game on stretcher after collision with Stars’ Nichushkin (Video)

It was hardly a banner afternoon for Craig Anderson on Sunday. In the first period versus the Dallas Stars, he was peppered for 19 shots in what looked like a rehash of his last outing. In the third period, he was scored on by teammate Mark Borowiecki.

Then, as if his day couldn't get any worse, he was run into by Stars' winger Valeri Nichushkin during overtime, and had to be removed from the ice on a stretcher. Video, via Eye on Hockey:

Very scary scene in Ottawa. Nichuskin's knee appears to strike Anderson right in the head, and you can see from this SB Nation gif that it appears to push his neck backwards in a really concerning way.

There were some positive signs, however. Anderson's thumbs-up to the crowd as he left the ice, for one, but more than that, the fact that he was walking around on his own shortly after being stretchered off, still in his gear.

It appears that use of the stretcher was just extreme caution, which is good news for Anderson, and Ottawa too. Considering the Senators' struggles limited their shots against, losing Anderson right now would be tough to overcome. I mean, granted, they did it last year, but it's still not ideal.

Adding to Anderson's rough day at the office: Robin Lehner, who came on in relief, couldn't shut the door during the ensuing shootout, and the Senators lost, 4-3.