Will it be Linus Ullmark or Leevi Merilainen on Monday?
Two games into the season, and coming off an ugly 6-2 loss to the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on Saturday, coach Travis Green and goalie coach Justin Peters have a decision to make before the club’s home opener against the Nashville Predators at 1 p.m.
You have to wonder which goalie will be in the net. With an afternoon game, it might be time to give Merilainen a start, and the coaching staff was toying with the idea of not having Ullmark play all three of the games to open the season.
Merilainen was the only goalie on the ice for a very optional skate on Sunday at the Canadian Tire Centre.
Starting the backup in the home opener isn’t something that’s traditional in these parts. It hasn’t happened in Ottawa since Dave Cameron gave Matt O’Connor the net ahead of Craig Anderson in 2015 against the Montreal Canadiens.
That was a decision that Cameron never lived down, but the way Ullmark has played, Merilainen has to get some consideration, and nobody would hold it against Green or Peters if they decided to go that route.
Ullmark, who gave up six goals on 27 shots, took the hit for the loss in Florida. It wasn’t all on him, but he didn’t make any big saves, and the first two goals weren’t great. He couldn’t get his glove on a shot by Alex Rodrigues and ended up sweeping the puck through his five hole.
Anton Lundell of the Florida Panthers scores a goal on Linus Ullmark of the Ottawa Senators during the second period at Amerant Bank Arena on Oct. 11, 2025 in Sunrise, Fla. Through two games, Ullmark has allowed 10 goals on 52 shots.
“I don’t think we played badly, or anything like that,” Ullmark said. “There are a couple of instances where a save from me would probably have kept the game closer. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen today, so they got a couple of extra unnecessary ones.
“We have to look at the positive things: We kept playing and grinding. That’s the strength of our team and our resilience as well. But at the moment, I’m very frustrated with my own performance. I’m also excited about that we have an opportunity again on Monday and then Wednesday, and then the games are going to keep coming, and there will be a lot of opportunities to stick with the process and see what the future holds.”
Ullmark, who is making $8.25 million U.S. this season on the four-year, $33 million extension he signed last October, has to be better.
Florida Panthers right wing Mackie Samoskevich scores a goal against Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark during the third period on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. After two games, Ullmark has a 5.01 goals-against average and an .808 save percentage.
Through two games, Ullmark has allowed 10 goals on 52 shots. He has posted a 5.01 goals-against average and an .808 save percentage. Ullmark pulled out the old Ted Lasso line about having to “have the mind of a goldfish” after the loss in Florida.
For those who don’t know what that means, it’s essentially having the mindset that Ullmark has to forget what’s happened and move on. What other choice does he have?
“We have a 1 p.m. game on Monday and I’m looking forward to that,” Ullmark said. “That’s the beauty of this league, is that the games come quick and you always have the chance to redeem yourself. If that’s the case, then I’m looking forward to it.”
The last time we saw the Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre, the fans were on their feet after the team was eliminated from the National Hockey League playoffs by the arch-rival Toronto Maple Leafs.
That was on May 1, and after the Senators made the playoffs for the first time in eight years, the faithful could see that better days were ahead, but it was still an emotional scene.
One hundred and 65 days later, the Senators will kick off Thanksgiving Day against the Predators, and the club is looking forward to the chance to play in front of its fans.
“It was so special,” Ottawa captain Brady Tkachuk said last week. “To have our season end like that and get the ovation that our team got, it was one of the most special and emotional moments of my life. We had such overwhelming support that I felt.
“I can’t wait to be back in front of them on Monday.”
But this business is about, “What have you done for me lately?”
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