Last night was an incredible performance by the player who wears number 35 on his sweater for Ottawa. The effort was enough for a tremendous 3-1 victory in the season and home opener for the Ottawa Senators against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. In his Sens debut, goaltender Linus Ullmark was instrumental in providing the team what they needed on the night.
Linus Ullmark Picks Up 3-1 Win for Sens over Florida
It all happened last evening from the Canadian Tire Centre. It was just one day after signing a big, four-year, $33 million contract extension with the club. Ullmark showed why he is worth that kind of money. Moreover, in coming over from Boston in the offseason, after essentially giving up on Joonas Korpisalo, the pressure to accompany the hype was there. But it’s not about the money, it’s not about the hype, it’s not even about the talent really, it is about going out there and doing it. And doing it is exactly what Ullmark did on the night.
Ullmark stopped 30 of 31 shots on the night. That is good for a .968 save percentage. What’s more, is how Ullmark was making the saves, or perhaps better yet, the timing of them. It seemed just as the Sens were being trapped deep for extended periods, Ullmark would cap it off with tremendous save, after tremendous save.
So, just could this season be different for the Senators, could Ullmark truly be their guy? Well after one game, it may be looking that way. However, it is more than that. This comes just one day after the contract. But between Ullmark, general manager Steve Staios, and the entire team really, there is just a different feel with this club. It’s a feeling of accountability. You see it in the players and also their game. Ullmark is no different. He seems to carry a cool, calm confidence, mixed in with of course, the highest level of professionalism.
What’s Not to Like About Ullmark?
Just look at some of the recent stats, and resume overall, from Ullmark. Over the past two NHL campaigns, Ullmark sports a .928 SV%. Furthermore, in 2022-23, on a very strong Boston Bruins team, Ullmark walked away with the Vezina Trophy. In total, in his three seasons in Boston, playing 130 games, he compiled a remarkable .750 Win%. It’s nearly impossible to look at his recent statistics from his time in Boston, and not think of him as a star. And that just feels like what he is bringing to Ottawa.
Ottawa does have a competent backup in Anton Forsberg. Forsberg is in the last year of his three-year contract that pays him an annual average value of $2.75 million. He has been fairly consistent with Ottawa. However, his .890 SV% last year left some to wonder. Now, the idea is that would caused by a poor defensive structure in front of him. Regardless, you need consistent goaltending at the very least, to make a run at the playoffs. That is where the tandem of Ullmark and Forsberg should provide Ottawa with the stability they need. Let’s not forget about on the farm. Between Mads Sogaard, 23, and Leevi Merilainen, 22, the future looks bright for the Sens in net for the foreseeable future.
Main Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers – USA TODAY Sports
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