Ahead of a showcase game, featuring two Atlantic Division rivals the Boston Bruins and the Ottawa Senators , as it is the Prime Monday Night Hockey game of the week, the Sens camp has some news to break. Their number one goaltender, Linus Ullmark , will not play in tonight’s game. The reason at this time is being described as one stemming from needing rest or a mental break. It is basically load management, as he has been told he’s going tomorrow against the Chicago Blackhawks. Let’s hope the day off allows him the rest he needs to get back to his top game.
#Sens have recalled Hunter Shepard from Belleville to dress as the backup. There is nothing wrong with Linus Ullmark. The club wants to give him a complete day off, which means Leevi Merilainen will face the Bruins, and Ullmark starts tomorrow night in Chicago. Stand down. https://t.co/QZadfXtj3x
— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) October 27, 2025
Ottawa Senators Goaltender Linus Ullmark to Miss Monday’s Game
The news was released this afternoon. As head coach Travis Green mentioned, given the nature of the situation, it doesn’t make sense to have Ullmark on the bench. He likely needs space, rest, or time, being around his support group, things that he wouldn’t get sitting on an NHL bench during a game. Sen fans know he is heavily relied upon as the club’s starting goaltending. Beyond him, they are limited in experienced NHL goaltending. Therefore, it isn’t hard to imagine, for a team with playoff expectations, resting heavily on strong goaltending, could be draining for the guy they call the number one.
As a result of their news, Hunter Shepard had been recalled from the Belleville Senators. That could’ve been an indicator all was not well in Sens land. With the news, we now know for sure.
What Does It All Mean
It is interesting that Ullmark finds himself in the situation he does. He is an 11-year veteran of the NHL. However, he has never played more than 49 games in a single NHL season. This year, given that he was the clear number one, the Sens were ideally looking for at least 45-50 games, if not more from him. Now, he has since gotten off to a slow start, too. For a goalie with a career 2.56 goals-against average, everyone, but mostly Ullmark himself, expects more than his current 3.11 GAA.
The good thing is that Ullmark appears to have identified there is a need for rest. The next thing he did was act on it, and put himself first. Asking for a day off might not seem like a big deal. However, it is a key couple of steps in order to feel better. Let’s hope he does so, and he can get back to normal.
As a further note, the Sens do have goalies who can step in, in the interim. Leevi Merilainen is the team’s backup, and will likely shoulder the load in the meantime. However, Mads Sogaard and Shepard are also more than capable of making a start or two, if need be. Merilainen will get the start tonight with Shepard backing up. Unfortunately, Sogaard appears to be injured, and Shepard played each of the last two days. Therefore, it is certain Merilainen plays tonight.
Main Photo Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
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