Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson celebrated an emotional win on the ice with his teammates last night — and was even greeted with loud cheers from Edmonton Oilers fans when he was honoured as the game's first start for shutting out the home team.

On Monday, the NHL named Anderson first star of the week.

Anderson's return to the team on Sunday came just one day after general manager Pierre Dorion announced that the goalie's wife Nicholle Anderson has cancer.

Anderson went on personal leave on Thursday but returned just days later after fellow goalie Andrew Hammond was injured. Dorion said the return is possible, for now, as the Andersons are in a "wait period" for test results that will help determine a treatment plan.

He emphasized that it was Nicholle who encouraged her husband to return to the team.

"I think this is a tremendous gesture on behalf of Nicholle Anderson," he said

Ahead of the game on Sunday, Sens head coach Guy Boucher called the game against the Oilers, who were 7-1 before the loss, a "very big challenge for us." But he said he was confident in Anderson's abilities.

"He's a terrific number one goalie," he said. "Obviously, he's a gigantic part of our team, so right now, to have him back is huge for us. But the way he's showed focus right now is pretty impressive."

The 37-save shutout on Sunday gives Anderson a 5-1 record so far this season.