The Ottawa Senators saw their hottest player go down in their last game. Now, following a few days of rest for the NHL’s 2024 Christmas break, the news is that he won’t travel with the team as they embark on the remaining five games of their, in total, nine-game road trip. Linus Ullmark is suffering with a back injury. As a result, the Senators management decided to callup the two main AHL goalies to take with them on their current road trip. Those two goalies being Mads Søgaard and Leevi Merilainen.
Sens Star Netminder Linus Ullmark Out With Back Injury
Travis Green media avail Dec.27
Ullmark not on the trip. #Sens recall both Mads Sogaard and Leevi Merilainen pic.twitter.com/eDnqVpx9bI— Coming In Hot (@ComingInHotSens) December 27, 2024
In the Senators last game against the Edmonton Oilers, Ullmark was injured and pulled after the first period of play. Merilainen relieved Ullmark, and ended up taking the loss in the decision. This current injury update is disappointing news for Ullmark in any sense, but especially given his recent play where he has helped the team collectively turn it around. The Sens are remarkably 8-2-0 in their last ten games.
Moreover, individually, Linus Ullmark has been red hot of recent. He’s a superstar and you could say he’s the backbone of the Sens, at least their current run. That is the main reason this is such a huge complication for the squad. Ullmark still holds the standing of having won seven straight decisions. In every game of those seven games, incredibly, he has had a save percentage of .926 or better in each of the those seven games. Therefore, Sen fans really hope this is nothing serious for Ullmark. However, the fact that he appears to be missing the club’s next five games, with the added rest of the Christmas break as well, is reason for concern.
Just What Is Going On with Ottawa Senators Goaltenders, Again?
Besides the fact Ullmark is injured and someone needed to be called up, there is still some unease within the club’s goaltending situation. The uncertainty doesn’t end with Ullmark. Anton Forsberg had missed the last couple games. In addition, Mads Sogaard is only recently back playing with Belleville after missing time with injury. That is why the reason to bring up both young netminders, just for some added assurance. One of those two callups, Leevi Merilainen, has deserved his positioning on the organization depth chart.
Leevi Merilainen has been a very effective goalie for the Sens organization in his career development. His numbers with the Belleville Senators in the AHL have been impressive. In 41 games played, his record is 20-11-3. He also had a .908 SV% and a goals-against average of 2.66. There no reason he can’t succeed in the NHL and he’s proven it. Before getting into the Sens most recent game, Merilainen was hoping for some rest. He still only has four games of NHL experience under his belt and his only career victory came in the game the night prior to the the Oiler game versus the Vancouver Canucks, the 5-4 overtime victory.
So, with all this movement, should Sen fans be concerned that the club won’t be able to maintain their recent hot play? Yes and no. Anytime you are without your top player due to injury, which Linus Ullmark arguably is, but has been undisputedly as of late, then yes, the team could potentially struggle. However, often being without a top player can be seen as a rallying cry, and the rest of the players pick up the pace. This effect could be expanded by the fact it is the goaltending position, and the skaters need to play extra hard to protect the house. They need to collapse down low and block shots at all cost.
Trying to Make the Most of It
The personnel Ottawa does have shouldn’t be a reason for worry for the Senators fanbase. Merilainen was solid in those two performances, showing that he isn’t the reason the team in front of him loses. Also, Anton Forsberg has been solid at times for the Sens this year. In one stretch of three games for himself, he accumulated two shutouts back in early November. The Sens defence has shown to be a spot of reliability for the club thus far in 2024-25. Also, Sogaard is considered the next in line and has an NHL contract for 2025-26 already. Therefore, this should be seen as an opportunity for the Sens goalies to show they are deserving of being where they are in the organizational depth charts.
Sen fans are looking up as they currently sit fifth in the NHL’s Atlantic Division with a 18-14-2 record. Being without Ullmark for the second time this season will be a huge test for this group. However, if Ottawa wants to prove they are playoff contenders, they do need to show it without a top player or two. The fact that it impacts the most important position, goaltender, isn’t any reason for excuses. They need to rise above and continue to succeed. Only time will tell if they can and stay within the conversation of playoff contenders in the Eastern Conference.
Main Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
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