Linus Ullmark Returns to Senators Crease Just in Time to Face Struggling Flyers

The Ottawa Senators are getting their star goaltender back just in time to face a Philadelphia Flyers team that currently looks completely allergic to the back of the net.

According to Daily Faceoff, Linus Ullmark is officially returning to the crease tonight after missing time with an early-season injury.

"Daily Faceoff reported: 'Senators’ Linus Ullmark to return against Flyers after injury'"

Ottawa managed to hold the fort reasonably well without him. They grabbed solid wins over the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins before dropping a 5-3 decision to the Detroit Red Wings. But surviving a few games with backup goaltending is a lot different than having a legitimate, Vezina-caliber anchor locking down the paint.

Throwing a rested Ullmark at the Flyers right now feels like a cruel scheduling quirk. Philadelphia is stumbling into town on a three-game losing streak, having managed a grand total of five goals across losses to New Jersey, Carolina, and Tampa Bay.

When a team is already struggling to generate offense, the last thing they want to see is a top-tier goalie stepping back into the lineup with fresh legs and something to prove.

Anyone looking at the betting markets for tonight is probably factoring in Philadelphia's offensive power outage meeting Ottawa's upgraded brick wall. It is the kind of matchup that screams low event hockey, at least on one side of the ice.

If Ullmark shakes off the rust immediately, the Ottawa Senators can start building some real momentum in the Atlantic Division. As for the Philadelphia Flyers, they just have to hope they can sneak a lucky bounce past him before this road trip gets completely out of hand.