The Ottawa Senators got the result they wanted Monday night at TD Garden, but the win came with an uneasy twist.
Ottawa beat the Boston Bruins 4-1 and picked up two valuable division points, yet starting goaltender Linus Ullmark did not come back for the third period after leaving during the second intermission because of an apparent injury. There still wasn’t any clarity on what the issue was or when it happened, though the suspicion was that it stemmed from a collision with Bruins forward JJ Peterka.
Ullmark appeared to be shaken up on the play, but he stayed in the game for the rest of the period. Then came the surprise: he never returned to the ice for the third, even though he was on the bench. That raised plenty of questions in real time, especially with fans watching closely for any sign of what had happened.
One possibility is that the hit left him woozy enough to go through a concussion check during the intermission, and once he was cleared, the Senators simply chose caution with a 4-0 lead already in hand. That’s only speculation for now, though. More should come out after the game and on Tuesday.
In Ullmark’s place, Samuel Ersson handled the third period and stopped eight of nine shots. His night wasn’t completely clean, though, because Boston’s lone goal came after a miscue that turned into a brief scare for Ottawa.
Still, the bigger picture was a strong one for the Senators. They controlled the game, kept the Bruins from generating much offense, and walked out with a convincing road win against a division opponent.
Ottawa is now 2-0 to open the Thomas Chabot era, with four points and victories over both the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Bruins. The Senators are set to play again Tuesday night in the second half of a back-to-back, this time against the Detroit Red Wings, who are dealing with a significant number of off-ice distractions.
For Ottawa, the next step is simple: build on Monday’s effort and try to bank two more points in what already looks like a tight Atlantic Division race.
In Other News...
DeBrincat Just Put Detroit's Biggest Contract Decision Into Focus
Alex DeBrincats contract situation in Detroit has quickly become one of the more intriguing storylines around the league, and it has obvious ripple effects for Ottawa fans who watched him up close before his move to the Red Wings. The winger is in the final year of his deal and is reportedly seeking an extension in the range of $12 million to $14 million annually depending on term, a price tag that puts a spotlight on how aggressively Detroit wants to keep him in place.
For the Senators, the more immediate concern is on their own blue line, where Jake Sanderson is expected to miss at least two games because of a lingering injury. He has returned to Ottawa for testing, leaving the club to manage a gap on the road trip and potentially lean on familiar depth options if the absence stretches on. In the meantime, the latest wave of injury and contract news only adds to the sense that this stretch could force a few teams to make choices they would rather not face yet. [Read more 🡒]
Oilers Trade Buzz Could Quietly Matter To The Flames Soon
Edmontons latest trade chatter has some ripple effects across the Canadian market, even if nothing has been finalized. Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer said the club could make a move before its next game against the Anaheim Ducks, and Sportsnets Elliotte Friedman reported Edmonton has explored ways to swap from its defensive depth toward another forward after a cluster of injuries up front. The need appears to be short term, with no long-term absences expected, but it has still put the Oilers in a familiar spot of weighing roster balance against immediate help.
For Ottawa, the interest is less about Edmontons lineup card than about the kind of transaction that can reshape a division race without much warning. The discussion has centered on whether the Oilers use one of their extra defensemen to address the forward group, and the names being floated show just how fine the margins are around the back end. No deal has been announced, but if Edmonton does pull the trigger, it would be the sort of move the Senators watch closely because it could alter the competitive landscape fast. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Just Created A New Question On Defense
The Senators needed another body on the blue line, and Jorian Donovan got the call from Belleville to help steady things while injuries have thinned out the defense. The 22-year-old fifth-round pick has only two NHL games on his rsum, but he arrives with a solid AHL track record after putting up 21 points in 61 games last season, giving Ottawa a young option as it tries to navigate a short-handed stretch.
Donovans recall also adds another layer to a roster picture that is still in motion, with injured players working their way back and Ridly Greig close to returning from suspension. For Ottawa, the next move may not be the last one, as the club keeps sorting out how to patch the blue line now while leaving room for whatever comes next. [Read more 🡒]