The Ottawa Senators got some positive news with goaltender Linus Ullmark making an appearance at the team’s optional morning skate Thursday.
Ullmark was taking shots from assistant coach Daniel Alfredsson but was not occupying the home net during the main portion of practice. Anton Forsberg was announced as the team’s starter against the New Jersey Devils.
Head coach Travis Green told reporters on Wednesday that Ullmark, who missed Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Kings with a strain, skated on Wednesday and is progressing well in his recovery. Though he declined to say definitively whether Ullmark could be available for Thursday’s game against the Devils, the coach said he “could be ready.”
Ullmark allowed four goals on 26 shots in his last outing on Saturday night, but still owns a .914 save percentage in two starts for the Senators.
The 32-year-old won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s most outstanding goaltender following the 2022-23 season, when he posted career-best numbers in goals-against average (1.89) and save percentage (.938) in 49 starts for the Boston Bruins.
Forsberg struggled in his first start of the season against the Los Angeles Kings allowing three goals on nine shots before getting replaced by Mads Sogaard.
Also absent from the morning skate was Thomas Chabot who, who left Wednesday’s practice early after colliding with Jacob Bernard-Docker but Green said the defenceman will be able to play.