Linus Ullmark had an impressive debut for the Ottawa Senators, making 30 saves and helping his team secure a 3-1 win against the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. The game took place on Thursday night in Ottawa, Ontario.
Tim Stutzle scored the opening goal for the Senators on a power play in the first period. Shane Pinto also found the back of the net for Ottawa in the same period. In the third period, Stutzle sealed the victory with an empty-net goal.
The Panthers faced a setback when their captain, Aleksander Barkov, suffered an injury late in the third period after crashing into the end boards. Despite a goal from Gustav Forsling with just over four minutes remaining, Florida was unable to stage a comeback.
Sergei Bobrovsky made 29 saves for the Panthers, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Senators’ strong performance. Ottawa’s defensive efforts were highlighted by blocking 27 shots throughout the game.
With the win, Ottawa started their season on a positive note, while the Panthers were left looking to bounce back after a slow start. Ullmark’s stellar performance in goal played a significant role in the Senators’ victory.
Looking ahead, the Panthers will face off against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night, while the Senators are set to play against the Montreal Canadiens on the same day.
It’s worth noting that Ullmark has an impressive record of 10-1-0 in his last 11 starts against the Florida Panthers. His consistency and skill in goal have proven to be valuable assets for the Senators as they begin their season.
Overall, the game was a thrilling start to the season for both teams, with the Senators coming out on top thanks to Ullmark’s standout performance. As the season progresses, both teams will be looking to build on this opening game and continue striving for success in the NHL.
