The Ottawa Senators are gearing up for a challenging five-game road trip without their top two goaltenders, Linus Ullmark and Anton Forsberg. Head coach Travis Green confirmed Ullmark would not travel due to ongoing back tightness, an issue that forced him to leave a recent game against the Edmonton Oilers. Forsberg, who has been sidelined since December 14, is also not yet ready to return, although he joined the team for practice.
To address the goaltending crisis, the Senators have called up Leevi Merilainen and Mads Sogaard from their AHL affiliate. This comes at a crucial time as the Senators, currently sitting at 18-14-2, have shown signs of momentum, boasting an 8-2-1 record in December. Ullmark's strong performance prior to his injury, including a 7-0-1 record, has been pivotal in the team's recent success.
The Senators will face formidable opponents starting with the Winnipeg Jets, who lead the league, followed by the Minnesota Wild. The team is determined to maintain their level of play and continue their playoff push despite the challenges in goal. Captain Brady Tkachuk expressed confidence in the abilities of Sogaard and Merilainen, emphasizing the importance of solid defensive play to support the new goaltenders.
As they prepare for this critical stretch, the Senators are focused on sticking to their game plan and not deviating from their successful strategies. Players like Drake Batherson are optimistic about maintaining their rhythm and finding success against tough competition. The Senators know that overcoming adversity is key to their playoff aspirations.
