After missing the playoffs for eight consecutive years, the Ottawa Senators finally broke their playoff drought this season. It was a successful 2024-25 campaign for the Sens, as they finished the regular-season with a 45-30-7 record. Former Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark was a significant factor in the team's turnaround.
Ullmark did well in his first regular-season as a Senator, posting a 25-14-3 record, a .909 save percentage, a 2.72 goals-against average, and four shutouts. Overall, the former Bruins goalie gave the Senators much-needed stability between the pipes.
However, in his Senators playoff debut against the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 20, Ullmark struggled big time. The 31-year-old goaltender allowed six goals on 24 shots in the Senators' 6-2 loss to the Maple Leafs, which equates to an ugly .750.
This is certainly not the kind of start Ullmark wanted to have in his Senators post-season debut. Now, the 2023 Vezina Trophy winner will look to get things back on track when they face the Maple Leafs for Game 2 on April 22. With this loss to the Leafs, Ullmark now has 3-7-0 record, a 3.82 goals-against average, and a .877 save percentage in 11 career playoff games split between Boston and Ottawa.
In 130 games over three seasons with the Bruins, Ullmark had an 88-26-10 record, a .924 save percentage, and a 2.28 goals-against average. His time with the Original Six club came to an end this past off-season when he was traded to the Senators in exchange for goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, forward Mark Kastelic, and a 2024 first-round pick, which was used to select Dean Letourneau.
Former Bruins Star Kicks Off Playoffs With Strong Game
After an ugly 2024-25 season, the Boston Bruins are not in the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 season. This is certainly not what was expected of them after a busy off-season.
While the Bruins are not in the playoffs, several of their former players are fighting to win the Stanley Cup this spring. This includes former Bruins star Taylor Hall, who is now playing for the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes acquired Hall from the Chicago Blackhawks back in January, and the veteran winger has been solid for them since. The 2010 first-overall pick scored nine goals and recorded 18 points in 31 regular-season games with the Hurricanes following the move. This included posting three points in his final two games of the regular-season.
Now, Hall has carried over his hot streak to the beginning of the playoffs for the Hurricanes, as he had a solid Game 1 against the New Jersey Devils on April 20. Hall recorded two primary assists in the Hurricanes' 4-1 win over New Jersey, including on Logan Stankoven's goal that gave Carolina a commanding 3-0 lead.
Hall's assist on Stankoven's goal was a beauty, too. Hall made a perfect pass in the slot to Stankoven, and the young forward then fired it home for his second goal of the game.
When playing at his best, Hall is an impactful offensive contributor, and he certainly was just that for the Canes in Game 1 against New Jersey. He will now look to stay hot for the Metropolitan Division club from here.
In 158 games over three seasons with the Bruins, Hall had 44 goals, 67 assists, 111 points, and a plus-37 rating. His time in Boston ended when he was traded to the Blackhawks during the 2023 NHL off-season.
