Ullmark is coming off one of his worst starts of the season when he allowed five goals in the first period on Tuesday before he was pulled in favour of backup James Reimer.

The Senators went on to lose 6-3.

“I pulled him, but pulled him more because the team was so s—–, not because of him,” Green told reporters on Thursday.

The Swedish goalie has endured an up-and-down season, posting a 23-11-8 record with an .886 save percentage and 2.85 goals-against average. He took a leave of absence for mental-health reasons in December.

Yakemchuk, 20, has played just four games after being recalled in the wake of injuries to defencemen Jake Sanderson, Thomas Chabot, Dennis Gilbert and Nick Jensen.

He had one goal and one assist before exiting the loss to the Panthers after taking a hit from Noah Gregor.

Sanderson skated in a non-contact jersey on Thursday, per Sportsnet’s Alex Adams, but will not suit up against the Sabres. Green said he could “possibly” return over the weekend, when Ottawa hosts the Minnesota Wild on Saturday and the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday.

The Senators sit two points out of a wild-card spot entering action on Thursday. The Sabres would clinch a playoff berth with a win.