Ullmark Returns to Senators’ Net-And Could Be the Spark Ottawa Desperately Needs
The Ottawa Senators have been searching for answers all season long, and now, they might finally have one back in the fold. Linus Ullmark has returned to the lineup after a personal leave of absence, and while the road to the playoffs is steep, his return could be the boost this team has been missing.
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the Senators’ goaltending has been in freefall. Since Ullmark stepped away from the team on December 28, the crease has become a revolving door of inconsistency.
Leevi Meriläinen, the 21-year-old backup, was thrust into the spotlight and asked to carry a workload far beyond what he’s ready for. He started 10 straight games and posted a .843 save percentage-a number that’s tough to win with at any level, let alone in the NHL.
That’s a far cry from his .925 mark in 12 starts last season. The organization has since sent him back to Belleville to reset and regain his confidence.
Meanwhile, Ullmark has been back on the ice for a few weeks, gradually ramping up his workload and working closely with medical professionals to get himself back into playing shape. On Sunday, he dressed as the backup in Ottawa’s dominant 7-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. He didn’t see the ice, but his presence was felt-and it could be the first step in stabilizing a position that’s been anything but steady.
Think of Ullmark’s absence like an injury. He needed time to heal-not physically, but mentally-and now he’s back, refreshed and in good spirits.
That alone is a win for the Senators. But what he can bring on the ice is where things get interesting.
Yes, Ullmark has struggled this season. Through 28 starts, he’s posted a .881 save percentage-the lowest of his career by a wide margin.
That early-season slump played a big role in the Senators’ overall goaltending woes. But there’s reason to believe that version of Ullmark might not be the one we see going forward.
Just before Christmas, he was starting to look like himself again. From December 11 to December 25, Ullmark went 4-0-1 with a .918 save percentage and a 1.99 goals-against average.
That’s the kind of form that earned him a Vezina Trophy and made him one of the league’s most reliable netminders. Then came a rough outing in Toronto on December 27, followed by his leave of absence the next day.
Now, with the Senators sitting near the bottom of the league in team save percentage-.873 before Ullmark left, and a brutal .847 since-his return could be more than just a feel-good story. It could be the turning point.
Let’s remember what Ullmark did last season. Among goaltenders with at least 35 games played, he finished tied for sixth in the NHL with a .910 save percentage and helped backstop Ottawa to a wild card spot. That’s not ancient history-it’s recent proof of what he’s capable of when he’s locked in.
And how often does a team with the worst save percentage in the league get to add a former Vezina winner midseason?
Sure, he hasn’t looked like that guy this year. But elite goaltenders don’t just forget how to be elite.
If Ullmark can even get back to league-average form, it would be a massive upgrade for a Senators team that’s been bleeding goals. If he finds his top gear?
Then we’re talking about a potential second-half surge.
The Senators still face a long climb to get back in the playoff mix. The math isn’t on their side, and the margin for error is razor thin.
But with Ullmark back, they’ve got a fighting chance-and for a team that’s been searching for stability all season, that’s more than just a storyline. It’s hope.