Linus Ullmark a driving force behind Senators’ success

The Ottawa Senators are off to a stellar start in 2026-27, with a 6-2-0 record through their first eight games. A big part of that success has been goaltender Linus Ullmark between the posts through his seven games. 

In those games, Ullmark has posted six wins and a loss, ranking third among NHL netminders in both Goals Against Average and Save Percentage, with a 1.88 and .945 mark in each category. 

On Tuesday, Senators reporter with the Coming In Hot Sens show, Brent Wallace, joined Daily Faceoff LIVE co-host and former NHL netminder Carter Hutton to break down Ottawa’s hot start and Ullmark’s early-season success. 

Carter Hutton: It’s funny when you look at the goaltending stats in the league right now. You see Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman right at the top of the list, not on the same team anymore. But Ullmark has been absolutely phenomenal. Lights out. Is that sustainable for the season, and can this team outscore its problems if that ever goes sideways? 

Brent Wallace: Good question. The offense looks like it needs a jolt. Like you already lost a top six. We really believe that they were missing a top six to begin with. André Burakovsky has admitted he’s struggled to find his game, and he is pointless in the five games he’s played. Dylan Cozens doesn’t have a goal yet this season, nine games in, but he’s got two assists. 

They need to find some offense, but on the other end, Linus Ullmark, if you go back to when he returned last season… I think he leads the league in wins by a goaltender right now, with 20 over that stretch. Like, he’s been playing great hockey since his return for the most part this year, though he looks like he is in Vezina Trophy form, even though I know it’s early, so don’t get excited. He is the reason why they’re off to a 6-2-0 start, no question. 

You can catch the rest of Tuesday’s Daily Faceoff LIVE episode and the full Ottawa Senators breakdown right here…