Linus Ullmark stood tall for the Ottawa Senators in a 2-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Monday night. This kind of game shows why Ottawa traded for him last season. The veteran goalie turned away an incredible 48 shots, including all 27 he faced in the second period.
Dylan Cozens scored his first goal as a Senators, while David Perron also hit the back of the twine. Dylan Larkin scored Detroit’s lone goal, beating Ullmark short side in the third period. Cam Talbot made 21 saves for the Red Wings, who have struggled with scoring during a six-game losing streak.
Related: Senators Hit Home Run at Trade Deadline Acquiring Cozens & Zetterlund
The Senators’ winning goal came on a confusing (but exciting) power-play sequence, with Tim Stützle‘s broken stick becoming a part of the play. Ultimately, it became a slick passing play from Brady Tkachuk to Jake Sanderson to Cozens. Ottawa’s defense also stood strong, with Ullmark proving nearly unbeatable even as Detroit registered 27 shots in the second period alone. It was the most by any team in a single period this season.
Item One: Ullmark Steals the Show with Franchise-Record 48 Saves in Senators’ Victory
Ullmark was the undisputed star of the game, making a season-high 48 saves. His incredible performance in the crease kept Ottawa in the game during a chaotic stretch and was crucial to their victory.
Ullmark’s 27-save second period was historic as it made him the sixth goaltender in NHL history to record many saves in a period without allowing a goal since the league began tracking shots in 1997-98. His standout performance earned praise from head coach Travis Green, who noted, “He was stellar tonight… your goalie just steals you a game, and he did tonight for sure.” Ullmark’s ability was key to Ottawa’s crucial win as they continued their push for the playoffs.
Item Two: Cozens Makes Immediate Impact With Game-Winning Goal
Cozens has wasted no time making his mark with the Senators. Last night, he scored the game-winning goal on the power play Since moving northeast from Buffalo in the trade, he’s contributed offensively and with his physical play, putting up a goal and an assist in his first two games. By doing so, he’s quickly proving to be a valuable addition to the team who deepens to the Senators’ forward lines.
Related: Senators Solidify an Identity: Building Around Brady Tkachuk’s Grit
As noted, his game-winner came on a perfectly executed power play, where he finished off a great pass from Sanderson after a battle by Tkachuk set up the play. Cozens also had a game-high eight hits and has registered 17 hits in his first two games. He’s clearly ready to make an all-around impact for Ottawa as they push for a playoff spot.
Item Three: Perron Scores Key Power-Play Goal
Perron continued his strong offensive play, scoring a crucial power-play goal to give the Senators a 1-0 lead. The goal helped set the tone early in the game, and the Senators built momentum despite the Red Wings’ gritty play.
Perron’s goal was the third in his last five games, exhibiting his value to Ottawa’s offense as the team continues its playoff push. Perron has only put up four goals in the season, which is far lower than his average. Senators’ fans have to hope his suddenly-timely scoring marks a bit of an offensive heater for the veteran forward. If so, he could become pivotal in his team’s continued success.
What’s Next for the Senators?
After the game, although Ullmark was pleased with the win, he authored a note of caution: “It was just a chaotic game. We have to be honest with each other… it’s not a sustainable game to play if we’re going to keep winning down the stretch.” Despite the frenetic nature of the play, the goaltender admitted the importance of winning, adding, “It takes a lot of the group to find a way to win, which is a very positive thing in the end.”
Related: Grading the Sabres & Senators’ Trade for Dylan Cozens & Josh Norris
Ullmark’s game helped Ottawa maintain the first wild-card position in the Eastern Conference. That said, the win was hard-fought, and contributions from Cozens, Perron, and Tkachuk played crucial roles. Ullmark’s play and offensive efforts were key in ensuring Ottawa’s success as they keep pushing forward in the playoff race.
