Senators’ Linus Ullmark to return after nine-game absence

Some reinforcements are returning to the nation’s capital.

Following the team’s morning skate, it was revealed that Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark has been activated from injured reserve and will be starting on Thursday night, when the Senators host the Colorado Avalanche.

Ullmark has missed the past nine games due to a lower-body injury suffered during a game on Oct. 21 against the Florida Panthers. He was quickly placed on IR, with Ottawa riding Samuel Ersson throughout his absence. Ullmark has missed the past nine games, with the Sens doing okay without him, going 4-3-2 after losing to the Washington Capitals this past Tuesday night. Yet, the Sens remain in the thick of the hunt for a Stanley Cup Playoff spot.

The return of the Swedish backstop will certainly help Ottawa, as Ullmark has been exceptional in his limited action this year. In eight starts, he has posted a record of 7-1-0, with a 1.33 goals-against average and a .945 save percentage. His lone loss came at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers back on Oct. 17.

For Ottawa fans, seeing Ullmark injured has become the norm since he was dealt to the team in 2024. While he’s played at least over half of the games in each of his first two seasons, he has been on and off the injured list, along with taking a personal leave of absence last season. He’s already missed some time this year, as an injury against the Boston Bruins earlier this month knocked him out for one game. Yet, when he’s in between the pipes, few players have had a greater impact on the Sens than he.

The Senators (11-6-2) are currently fourth in the Atlantic Division, two points ahead of the Panthers for the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.