The Ottawa Senators have been prone to injury problems over the past couple of seasons. Whether it was Joshua Norris, Shane Pinto, or a goaltender, it seems that it is not necessarily the quantity but the quality of player to go down. This year is no exception as goalie Anton Forsberg has an injury and won’t travel with the club as they set out on their road trip. Otherwise, in terms of details of the injury or timetable, the Sens management are staying mum. As a result, they have done some roster shuffling around and looks like Leevi Merilainen will be with the club as they kickstart their gruelling nine-game road trip beginning Tuesday in Seattle, Washington against the Kraken.
An Anton Forsberg Injury Causes Some Uncertainty in Sens Net
#Sens have recalled Leevi Merilainen after Anton Forsberg was injured warming up for the game. Coach Travis Green said last night that Forsberg wouldn’t leave with the team today. No timeline.
— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) December 15, 2024
The details on the Anton Forsberg injury itself are scanty at best. However, he sustained the injury in last night’s pregame warmup and it forced the Sens to rely on an EBUG to backup Linus Ullmark. Ullmark had been expecting a rest after playing the night before in Raleigh. He was however hot, as he had shutout the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0, stopping all 32 shots directed his way. With last night’s 3-2 overtime win against the Pens, Ullmark helped lead the Sens into the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
For Forsberg, this injury comes at a good time, as if there were such a thing. He could use a little reset in his game, as he is 0-2 in his last two games, sporting a combined .816 save percentage in the two contests. The reason the timing is okay, is not because of the road trip, but Ullmark has been red hot lately. In Linus Ullmark’s last seven games, including the two from the previous two nights, he is 6-0-1. Also, he has one shutout and a combined, incredible .950 SV% over that span of time.
Mads Sogaard is not long back from an injury himself. That’s why the decision to recall Merilainen at this time. He had missed the previous two months with the Belleville Senators, only returning Friday night. Furthermore, in Friday’s game he was subsequently pulled from the game after five goals on 21 shots. He could definitely
Merilainen is deserving of the callup based on his play. He is 7-2-2 in 13 games for Belleville this season. Once more details of the timetable for Forsberg are known, Sens management can better decide who to backup Ullmark.
Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
The post Senator Goaltenders Forced Into Some Roster Shuffling appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.