OTTAWA – Linus Ullmark’s first start since stepping down on personal leave won’t be just another game.
From the opening shot to the final shot, the veteran goaltender battled more than his fair share of opponents, channeling a wide range of emotions into an impressive 26-save performance in a 4-1 win over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night that underscored his resilience and importance in goal.
The Ottawa Senators netminder made his first start since taking a leave of absence on Dec. 28. In a recent interview, Ullmark shared that he was dealing with mental health issues and experienced anxiety during his last appearance against the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 27.
“It feels like it’s been a long time coming so there’s an excitement to it,” Ullmark admits. “I was nervous, which I haven’t been in a long time, and that was positive.”
The Senators announced Saturday morning that Ullmark would start, and fans marked the occasion with signs welcoming him back. The sold-out crowd at the Canadian Tire Center cheered as he took the ice, and his teammates lined up to congratulate him after the game.
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“At the end of the day, also during the lineup, it was really hard to get it together,” Ullmark said. “And I don’t want to hold it in either. One of the things I’m working on is letting the feelings flow a little bit. There’s nothing bad about that.”
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Ullmark even got a kick back from referee Justin Kee, who took a moment early in the match to offer his support to the goalkeeper. The two had played together in the American Hockey League in Rochester.
Ullmark praised his teammates for what he called a tough effort. He also admitted that they had played an important role during this time.
“The biggest thing is the support in this locker room,” Ullmark said. “It’s been amazing from day one and I can’t thank this entire organization enough. I can’t thank them enough.”
The players admitted it was a special night full of emotions.
“He showed right away, from the first shift, the first shot that he was going to be very solid and that’s why he’s one of the best goaltenders in the league. That was amazing to see,” captain Brady Tkachuk said. “Seeing the support for him and seeing how much we miss him out there, it was amazing. It was an amazing experience.”
Head coach Travis Green was not only pleased with Ullmark but also impressed with his performance. The 32-year-old has a 15-8-5 record this season.
“I think he’s amazing,” Green said. “Very focused, aggressive. I thought it was, if not the best game, one of the best games he’s played this year.”
Green admits it’s difficult to watch a player go through personal struggles. The focus is on ensuring Ullmark only returns when he is ready.
Ullmark’s return came in stages. He started practicing with the team, joined them on a road trip, and was a reserve for the final two games before deciding he was ready to return to action.
“Like, there’s never a perfect game to come back to,” Ullmark admitted. “It could be, but it’s almost like ripping off a band-aid. You’ll have to try it and see how it goes.”
“And I feel like I’m in a good enough place where I feel confident in my game. I feel confident in my physical ability to go out there and perform (Saturday).”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 1, 2026.
© 2026 Canadian Press
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