Ullmark awarded 1st star in return: 'It was really hard holding it together'

Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark had a triumphant return to the crease Saturday night, making 26 saves in a 4-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils in his first game since taking a leave of absence in late December.

"At the end there, also during lineup, it was really hard holding it together," UIlmark said postgame, per Coming In Hot. "I didn't want to hold it together, also. It's one of the things I've been working on, is letting the feelings flow a little bit. There's nothing bad about that. I was really happy that we got a win today as well."

Ullmark was given a standing ovation by Ottawa's home crowd when the starting lineup was announced and again when he was named first star.

"It felt like I came out of retirement ... I felt like I've been gone for so long," Ullmark also said. "There was an excitement, I was nervous, which I haven't been in a long time. And that's positive."

Ullmark hadn't played since Dec. 27. Earlier this month, he acknowledged the leave of absence was for mental health reasons.

The 32-year-old entered the contest with an .881 save percentage in 28 games this season. He helped the Senators reach the playoffs in 2024-25, his first season with the club.