Ullmark starts after missing over a month with back injury

Ottawa Senators goalie Linus Ullmark is starting for the first time in more than a month Tuesday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Ullmark last took to the crease Dec. 22 against the Edmonton Oilers. He was pulled after the first period due to back tightness and made six saves on seven shots before departing.

The Swede was out of the lineup entirely for 18 games, then served as the backup but did not enter the Senators' 5-2 victory over the Nashville Predators on Monday.

Ottawa boasted an 11-6-2 record in the 2023 Vezina Trophy winner's absence, climbing its way to third place in the Atlantic Division in the process.

Rookie Leevi Merilainen led the way with Ullmark on the sidelines, going 7-2-1 with a sterling .938 save percentage and 1.70 goals-against average. Regular backup Anton Forsberg, meanwhile, won four of his eight starts while logging a .902 clip.

Merilainen was loaned to the AHL on Sunday.

Ullmark came into Tuesday with a 12-7-2 record on the season, as well as a .915 save percentage, 2.38 GAA, and three shutouts. He found his form before getting hurt, winning his previous seven appearances while sporting a .967 save percentage and 0.99 GAA over that span.

The 31-year-old is in his first year with the Senators after being traded to Canada's capital by the Boston Bruins in June. Ottawa signed Ullmark to a four-year, $33-million extension, which kicks in next season.