The Ottawa Senators have made a habit of weathering setbacks this season, and they’ll head into the new year confronting their biggest one yet.
General manager Steve Staios announced Sunday that goaltender Linus Ullmark is taking a leave of absence for personal reasons, forcing Ottawa to turn to Leevi Merilainen as the club fights to stay in the Eastern Conference playoff mix.
While Ullmark’s play this season has been inconsistent, his absence leaves the Senators with a significant void.
The 32-year-old has 14 wins in 28 games this season, a 2.95 goals-against average and .881 save percentage.
He started Saturday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs and was pulled after giving up four goals on 14 shots.
“Out of respect to Linus, we will not be making any further comments,” Staios said.
But teammates were offering their full support to Ullmark on Monday morning ahead of their game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“I think the only thing we can do here as a team is be there for him during that time and support him as best as we can,” said alternate captain Thomas Chabot. “And I know the whole team’s going to do that. So, however long that takes, I think all that matters at this point.
“Yes, there’s hockey games and everything, but, I mean, there’s things in life that are way bigger than a hockey game so that’s what matters right now.”
Captain Brady Tkachuk added that Ullmark can expect the team and the organization’s full support at this time.
“For us as teammates it’s just always be there for him and whatever he’s kind of going through that he knows we’re always there,” Tkachuk said.
“He’s such a big part of our team on the ice, off the ice that we’re always there for him.”
Merilainen will now be counted on to shoulder the burden of work moving forward. The 23-year-old has a 4-6 record and .874 save percentage in nine starts this season.
Merilainen earned the backup job following his stellar performance last season when he filled in for an injured Ullmark last December. During that time frame, Merilainen posted an impressive 7-2-1 record and three shutouts.
With the Eastern Conference standings tight and the Senators (18-14-5) currently sitting outside of a playoff spot, the team will be counting on Merilainen to be at his best.
“He doesn’t say much, but he’s a stone-cold killer,” Tkachuk said of Merilainen. “I wouldn’t say you never know, but he’s an ultra competitor. He wants to win so bad. He’s not going to be the most vocal guy in the room, but it just shows out there how much he competes, how much he battles and how much he wants to win.”
Merilainen will get the start against Columbus and Hunter Shepard has been recalled from the American Hockey League’s Belleville Senators to back him up.
The Senators have largely held their own this season despite numerous injuries, including a thumb injury that caused Tkachuk to miss 20 games earlier this season.
Chabot says dealing with the absence of Ullmark will be no different.
“It’s part of the NHL,” said Chabot. “You’re going to miss some players, some big pieces in your lineups and it’s the group in front of him that has to step up and play some even better hockey and I think part of that for us too is making sure we’re taking care of winning some hockey games to make it even better for Linus during this time.”
The Senators did receive some good news Monday. Defenceman Tyler Kleven returns to the lineup after missing three games and forward Shane Pinto, who’s missed 10 games, will be a game-time decision. Pinto took part in his first full practice Sunday.
Defenceman Nick Jensen will be a healthy scratch.
