Senators’ Linus Ullmark still unavailable vs. Utah

Drake Batherson struck twice, and Jake Sanderson collected three helpers as the Ottawa Senators handed the Tampa Bay Lightning their first loss with a 5-4 victory.

Linus Ullmark‘s return to the Ottawa Senators lineup will not happen Tuesday night.

Head coach Travis Green announced that Anton Forsberg will start against Utah while Leevi Merilainen was recalled from the AHL to serve as backup.

Ullmark has not played since Oct. 12 due to a muscle strain. Tuesday will be his fourth game missed.

“(Ullmark) had a good practice yesterday, a good skate this morning,” head coach Travis Green said Tuesday. “Just erring on the side of caution.”

The former Vezina Trophy winner joined the Senators on their current road trip. On Sunday, the Senators returned goaltender Mads Sogaard to the AHL, suggesting Ullmark was nearing a return. But the recall of Merilainen changed those plans.

“It sucks being on the sidelines, doesn’t matter if it’s one, two, three, four games,” Ullmark said on Monday.

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