Samuel Ersson had a poor showing in Ottawa's previous game, his second start of the season, and will return to his familiar role as understudy to Linus Ullmark, who has started the 2026-27 season tremendously. Ullmark is coming off a poor 2025-26 season, posting a 2.73 GAA and a career-worst .891 SV% in 49 games (28-12-8). That said, the 33-year-old Swedish goalie has been near-perfect this season, posting an absurd 1.27 GAA and a .948 SV% in five games (5-0-0). The Senators enter Thursday's contest as -157 home favourites against a 3-3-0 New York Islanders team.


