Coach Travis Inexperienced says tightness in Ullmark’s again pressured him to go away the sport
Article content material
OILERS 3, SENATORS 1
The Ottawa Senators suffered two massive losses on Sunday evening.
One earlier than the ultimate buzzer sounded, and one other on the scoreboard.
Not solely did the Senators see their six-game successful streak halted with a 3-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place, high goaltender Linus Ullmark is out indefinitely due to an upper-body harm.
“His again tightened up so we felt that it was greatest that he got here out,” coach Travis Inexperienced advised TSN 1200’s Gord Wilson.
Commercial 2
Article content material
After permitting one aim on seven pictures within the first interval, Ullmark didn’t return for the second interval. That meant rookie Leevi Merilainen needed to take over and end the sport.
Merilainen was lower than 24 hours faraway from his first NHL win within the membership’s 5-4 time beyond regulation victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday evening.
“He’s tremendous calm again there,” winger Nick Cousins advised TSN’s Kenzie Lalonde after the second interval. “He has given us an opportunity with some massive saves for us. We’ve bought to do a greater job in entrance of him.
“The final 48 hours have been fairly loopy for him, however he’s dealt with himself nicely.”
Solely Cousins was capable of beat Edmonton goalie Stuart Skinner on the 21 pictures he confronted.
GOALIE ISSUES
After being given a break Saturday, Ullmark had returned for his eighth begin within the membership’s final 10 video games.
He got here into this one with an 8-0-1 file in his final 9 begins with a .960 save share and a 1.43 goals-against common. These numbers are a giant purpose the Senators have returned to the playoff race.
Ullmark missed 5 video games earlier within the 12 months due to an undisclosed ailment.
Sports activities
Article content material
Commercial 3
Article content material
The membership already is with out backup Anton Forsberg, and if each are out for any size of time, that’s going to current an enormous problem when the Senators resume regular-season play on Saturday in Winnipeg.
Ullmark didn’t even sit on the bench because the backup, however the Senators do have a six-day break within the schedule.
A DIFFICULT TEST
This was a recreation between two of the Nationwide Hockey League’s hottest groups heading into the break. The Senators had the chance to see how they measure up towards one of many league’s greatest.
“It’s irritating. Particularly the best way we’ve been taking part in however this was a tough back-to-back going through this group. They’re very proficient so that you’ve bought to present them credit score,” stated alternate captain Thomas Chabot.
The Oilers had posted a 14-4-1 file of their final 19 video games.
The Senators have had their share of difficulties with the Oilers, and had solely three victories within the final 10 video games towards Edmonton.
Connor McDavid got here into this one with 13 targets and 45 factors in 25 profession video games towards the Senators. Leon Draisaitl had 17 targets and 37 factors in the identical stretch versus Ottawa.
Commercial 4
Article content material
Senators winger Ridly Greig took a double-minor for high-sticking late within the second interval. The penalty prolonged 25 seconds into the third interval, and whereas the Senators did a strong job killing off the double-minor, Adam Henrique stretched Edmonton’s result in 3-1 simply moments after the penalty expired at 1:38 of the third interval.
Zach Hyman prolonged his goal-scoring streak to 6 video games along with his thirteenth aim of the season. His power-play effort after being left alone in entrance gave the Oilers a 2-1 lead with 4:55 left Within the second interval.
Cousins tied it 1-1 solely 25 seconds into the second interval. He went high shelf for his third aim of the season.
On the opening aim, at 14:26 of the primary interval, McDavid made an ideal feed to Viktor Arvidsson going to the web.
TAKE A BREAK
This go to to Edmonton closed out the primary portion of the Senators’ nine-game street journey, a results of the 2025 IIHF world junior championship in Ottawa.
After the sport, the Senators went their separate methods for the Nationwide Hockey League vacation break. They’re anticipated to satisfy in Winnipeg on Friday to arrange to face the Jets on Saturday.
Commercial 5
Article content material
The Senators received’t play at house once more till Jan. 9, and the membership went into this recreation attempting to win 4 straight to start out a protracted street journey for the primary time since they accomplished the feat Feb. 16, 2009.
Ottawa began the journey with victories in Seattle (3-0) on Tuesday, Calgary (3-2) in OT on Thursday and Saturday in Vancouver.
The membership was with out winger Michael Amadio after he took an elbow to the pinnacle from David Desharnais towards the Canucks. Amadio is in concussion protocol and there wasn’t an replace.
bgarrioch@postmedia.com
Really helpful from Editorial
Article content material
