Linus Ullmark‘s return didn’t go smoothly on Friday.
After missing four consecutive games with a muscle strain, the Ottawa Senators goalie couldn’t maintain his team’s late lead against the host Vegas Golden Knights.
Tomas Hertl and Tomas Hertl and Keegan Kolesar scored a minute apart late in the third period to give Vegas a come-from-behind 6-4 win.
“If (the Senators) had a capable goalie in there today, they would have won,” Ullmark told reporters after giving up five goals on 27 shots.
Ivan Barbashev had two goals, and Nicolas Roy and Nicolas Hague also scored for the Golden Knights. Alex Pietrangelo had three assists, and Jack Eichel, Mark Stone and Tanner Pearson each added two. Adin Hill made 34 saves to earn his third win of the season.
Vegas has now scored six goals in back-to-back games and is averaging 4.37 goals per game.
Adam Gaudette had two goals while Claude Giroux and Drake Bratherson also scored for the Senators.
“Way too sloppy,” Ullmark said. “And in this league, this (is the) type of game where you have to rely on the goaltender to shut the door. And not letting those two at the end to cause us to lose the game. I take it upon myself.”
Ottawa came into the game 3-0-0 when scoring first, and also when leading after two periods, but could hold its lead against the fourth-highest scoring team in the league.
Takeaways
Senators: Ullmark was 2-0 with a 1.50 goals-against average and .947 save percentage after allowing three goals in two career starts against Vegas. The five goals he allowed Friday were the most he’s allowed since the New York Islanders beat him for five last season on March 2.
Golden Knights: Both Stone and Eichel continued their offensive tear, as they’ve registered at least one point in seven of Vegas’ first eight games this season. Stone leads the team with 14 points, with Eichel just behind with 13.
Key moment
Trailing 4-3, the Golden Knights got back-to-back goals from Hertl and Kolesar with a little more than three minutes left in the game. Barbashev’s empty-netter sealed the win.
Key stat
5 — Vegas, which improved to 5-2-1 on the year, is now a perfect 5-0-0 at home.
Up Next
The Senators visit Colorado on Sunday, while the Golden Knights host San Jose on Saturday night.
— with files from AP.