Ottawa Senators’ Rollercoaster Win Serves As Big Wake-Up Call For Ullmark’s Understudies

Within the rollercoaster matinee matchup between the Ottawa Senators and Los Angeles Kings on Monday, the Sens’ X account may need stated it greatest.

“Let’s by no means do this once more,” the account stated in a reply to the Kings following an 8-7 extra time win for the Senators.

Though the Senators count on to be an improved staff than the one which completed second-last within the Atlantic Division final season, they received a chilly reminder of what was considered one of their largest issues final yr – their goaltending.

With new Sens No. 1 netminder Linus Ullmark injured and out of the lineup, Ottawa turned to backup Anton Forsberg for his first motion of the season. And Forsberg didn’t ship optimistic outcomes, surrendering three targets on 9 pictures and getting pulled on the 6:15 mark of the second interval.

Third-string Sens goaltender Mads Sogaard wasn’t a lot better, permitting 4 targets on 17 pictures.

The Senators discovered a method to maintain clawing again in opposition to the Kings, by no means trailing by greater than two targets, tying the match at 4-4, 5-5 and 6-6 and even taking a 7-6 lead earlier than Los Angeles scored the equalizer. Josh Norris performed hero along with his second objective of the sport to complete it off in extra time.

For what it is price, Kings netminder Darcy Kuemper wasn’t notably spectacular in his third begin of the season after a powerful first two video games. However Ottawa’s subpar netminding stood out like a sore thumb – and a few Senators followers are rightly involved concerning the caliber of goaltending they’re going to get behind Ullmark.

It’s not time simply but to throw Forsberg and Sogaard underneath the bus. Nonetheless, in a division the place the distinction between making and lacking the Stanley Cup playoffs may very well be one or two factors, it’s worrisome for Senators brass to assume they may get extra subpar goaltending with out Ullmark in internet. If that turns into an even bigger drawback, Senators GM Steve Staios must contemplate each choice to enhance the No. 2 goalie place, even when it means taking an opportunity on one other unproven netminder only for a change of surroundings.

For example, would the San Jose Sharks half methods with veteran Vitek Vanecek, provided that (a) Vanecek had a strong first recreation this season, stopping 28 of 29 pictures in opposition to Anaheim on Saturday, and (b) the Sharks have succesful prospect Yaroslav Askarov already thriving within the AHL this season?

As long as the Sens are keen to pay a draft decide or prospect and Forsberg’s wage in return for Vanecek, the transfer would match underneath each groups’ wage cap ceilings – simply barely, in Ottawa’s case. Vanecek has a $3.4-million cap hit, whereas Forsberg has a $2.75-million cap hit, with Vanecek and Forsberg changing into UFAs at season’s finish.

Vanecek’s stats final season and in his profession have been just like Forsberg’s, however the former’s 2.45 GAA and .911 SP in 52 video games in 2022-23 is engaging if he can rediscover that type. If Vanecek performs as he did in his first recreation extra constantly this season and Forsberg does not enhance, that transfer can be price making. But when Vanecek does not bounce again from an .890 save share final season on the Devils, he will not be Ottawa’s resolution.

Associated: New Contracts For Senators’ Ullmark, Kraken’s Daccord Present Fickle Nature Of NHL Goalie Enterprise

No matter whether or not Ottawa acquires one other netminder or not, the Senators needs to be counting their fortunate stars they acquired Ullmark this summer season and signed him to a prolonged contract extension final week. The choice – working it again with Forsberg and former Senators starter Joonas Korpisalo this season – may’ve been a recipe for disappointment. Even on the backup goalie spot, although, Staios will possible have to observe for higher choices by or earlier than the NHL’s commerce deadline until Forsberg or Sogaard enhance their play in a rush.

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