Ullmark had the night off on Monday, with the recently recalled Hunter Shepard serving as Leevi Merilainen's backup, but he returns to the crease on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 32-year-old Ullmark has had an up-and-down start to the 2025-26 season, posting a 3.11 GAA and .870 SV% in eight games (4-3-1), but has been excellent in his last two games (2-0-0), saving 34 of 36 combined shots (.944 SV%).
Ottawa recalled Hunter Shepard from Belleville (AHL) on Monday to serve as the backup to Merilainen, as the team opts to give Linus Ullmark the night off on the front end of a back-to-back. Merilainen was excellent in limited action last season, posting a 1.99 GGA and .925 SV% in 12 appearances (8-3-1), but struggled immensely in his only outing this season, allowing seven goals on 26 shots (.731 SV%) in a blowout 8-4 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. The Senators enter Monday's contest as -167 home favorites against a Boston Bruins team coming off a 3-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche.
Ottawa's coaching staff emphasized that there is no injury to Linus Ullmark, but he will have the day off on Monday, with the recently recalled Shepard serving as the backup to Leevi Merilainen. Ullmark is scheduled to return to the crease on Tuesday, at which point Shepard will likely return to Belleville (AHL).
The Senators have struggled early in the 2025-26 season, allowing a league-worst 33 goals through seven games (4.71 GA / GP). Poor defensive play has been the main contributor to the Senators' lackluster start, but Ullmark has failed to impress as well, posting an ugly 3.80 GAA and .854 SV% through six games (2-3-1). The Senators hope to rebound on Thursday, entering the contest as -156 home favorites against a Philadelphia Flyers team off to a 3-2-1 start to the season.
Sogaard was recalled by Ottawa last week, sending Leevi Merilainen to Belleville (AHL) for some increased playing time. After two games in the AHL, Merilainen is returning to Ottawa, sending Sogaard back to Belleville.
Merilainen started the season in Ottawa, had a poor performance in his only outing, and was sent to Belleville (AHL), where he posted a 3.50 GAA and .897 SV% in two games (1-1-0). He returns to Ottawa, with Mads Sogaard being reassigned to the AHL in a corresponding move.
The Senators have struggled defensively and between the pipes this season, outscored 30-20 through six games (2-4-0). Ullmark will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers, looking to return closer to his career averages, a 2.57 GAA and .916 SV%. The 32-year-old goalie is sporting a subpar 3.99 GAA and .848 SV% through five games in 2025-26 (2-3-0). The Senators enter Tuesday's contest as +111 home underdogs against an Oilers team battling through adversity amid a three-game losing streak.
Kaliyev was recalled last week after and was immediately inserted into an opportunistic role, including some powerplay exposure, but will return to the Belleville Senators (AHL). The 24-year-old Kaliyev scored one point (0G / 1A) in two games with Ottawa.
Ullmark allowed three goals on 33 shots in the Senators' 4-3 shootout win over the Kraken on Thursday. The win snapped a two-game losing stream for Ullmark, who is now 2-2-0 with a 3.72 GAA and .862 SV% through four games. Ullmark should make for a good start, as -140 home favourites vs. the Islanders.
Lycksell was held off the scoresheet in two games with Ottawa this season but will report to the Belleville Senators of the AHL. The 26-year-old forward has been limited to 11 points (1G / 10A) in 47 career NHL games but has been electric at the AHL level, scoring 128 points (52G / 76A) in 134 games.
Lycksell will be the odd-man out when the Senators host the Kraken on Thursday. Arthur Kaliyev will dress in his place.
Kaliyev will make his Senators debut on Thursday when they host the Kraken. The 23-year-old winger appeared in 14 games for the Rangers last season, tallying three goals and one assist.
Tkachuk exited Monday's game against the Nashville Predators after only 13:53 time-on-ice. The Senators announced on Thursday that Tkachuk underwent successful surgery on his right thumb and will be sidelined for 6-to-8 weeks, a devastating blow for the team's offense. The 26-year-old Tkachuk scored points (0G / 3A) through three games this season prior to his injury.
Ullmark has not impressed early in the 2025-26 season, which gave backup Leevi Merilainen an opportunity to showcase his talent on Wednesday, but he fell short, allowing seven goals on 26 shots (.731 SV%) in an 8-4 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. The 32-year-old Ullmark will return to the crease on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. Ullmark has a 4.07 GAA and .842 SV% through three games this season (1-2-0). The Senators enter the action on Thursday as -141 home favorites against the Kraken.
