The Ottawa Senators have been adept at overcoming challenges this season and are now facing a significant setback as goaltender Linus Ullmark takes a leave of absence for personal reasons, as confirmed by General Manager Steve Staios. This leaves a notable gap in the team, despite Ullmark’s mixed performance this season with 14 wins in 28 games, a 2.95 goals-against average, and a .881 save percentage. In a recent game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ullmark was replaced after allowing four goals on 14 shots.
Teammates, including alternate captain Thomas Chabot and captain Brady Tkachuk, expressed their full support for Ullmark during this challenging time. Leevi Merilainen, who stepped in for an injured Ullmark last season and impressed with a 7-2-1 record and three shutouts, will now be tasked with shouldering the goaltending responsibilities. Merilainen, known for his competitive spirit and silent determination, has a 4-6 record and a .874 save percentage in nine starts this season.
With the Senators currently outside of a playoff position in the Eastern Conference, they are relying on Merilainen to deliver his best performance. Hunter Shepard has been called up from the Belleville Senators to serve as the backup goaltender for the upcoming game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Despite the challenges, the Senators have shown resilience throughout the season, including dealing with injuries to key players like Brady Tkachuk and others. Chabot emphasized the team’s need to step up collectively and secure victories to support Ullmark during his absence. The team received positive news with the return of Tyler Kleven and a potential comeback for Shane Pinto, while Nick Jensen will sit out as a healthy scratch.