Senators' Linus Ullmark Blanks Kraken With 3-0 Win – Hockey Writers – Ottawa Senators

Tuesday's NHL at the end of Tuesday showed an interesting competition between the sides with a shot at the playoffs in their conferences when the Ottawa Senators visited the Seattle Kraken. While the clubs were compared in many ways, the visiting Senators had one definite advantage: an exceptional late game from goalkeeper Linus Ullmark. The Swedish sensation continued his impressive streak with 30 shutouts to help the Senators cruise to a 3-0 victory.

YOU START A ROAD TRIP WITH A #SENS CLOSE WIN 🙌#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/rEoiWr0JFm

– Ottawa Senators (@Senators) December 18, 2024

Ullmark and the Senators' Shut Down Hockey

There's something in the water of the Ottawa River these days. The Senators finished as one of the league's best defensive teams in 2023-24 (3.43 goals against average/GAA, 28).^th) for one of the best this season (2.93 GAA, ninth going into the tournament). And of course, that's probably what management expected when they made a strong trade last summer for Ullmark.

The 31-year-old veteran shined again, continuing his hot streak that began on December 5 against the Detroit Red Wings. He hadn't given up more than two goals in five consecutive games (and only coughed up two once). Try as he might, Kraken struggled to untangle him. It wasn't for a lack of trying, as Seattle mustered solid scoring chances, such as Tye Kartye's breakaway down the left side late in the first half that Ullmark fired away with confidence.

Related: Ottawa Senator Hope of the Week – Carter Yakemchuk

Part of Ottawa's good play tonight had to do with how the game turned on its head in the middle frame. Consider that after 40 minutes, the Kraken registered 22 shots on target. At the end of the game, they had 30 points, and many came too late to fail when the result of the game was academic.

Shane Pinto Gets The Ball Rolling

The scoring play between Ullmark and Seattle's Joey Daccord was lopsided at 8:02 of the second period. Vince Dunn of the Kraken sent the puck in from deep in his team's zone to fuel the attack. It quickly failed as Ottawa, led by Shane Pinto, stole the puck from the right back and ran the other way from the right. Despite Ryan Winterton's near miss, the Senators forward launched a low shot that fooled Daccord in the five-hole.

Ottawa doubled its lead at 12:45 when the offense got going again. This time, Ridly Greig fed Noah Gregor who was on the right. The latter scooped the puck up from the faceoff circle on the receiving end and beat Seattle's goalie.

The insurance marker waited until the final stanza when the Senators' points leader, Tim Stutzle, was fed by Adam Gaudette. In a twist, his five-hole attempt was deflected by Daccord, who tried to stand with his stick. The disc went over him until it was closed in the net and it was 3-0.

With the win, Ullmark registered his third shutout of the campaign and second in three games, both on the road, fortunately.

The Senators will stay on the road until after Christmas. Their next game is Thursday (Dec. 19) against another Canadian rival, the Calgary Flames. As for the Kraken, their four-game homestand is over. They will travel to Chicago on the same night to face the Blackhawks.