Many people have been shocked by the start that the Ottawa Senators have had in March. In eight games in March, the Senators have posted a 7-0-1 record.
With the recent hot stretch in March, the Senators currently hold the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference with 77 points after defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs last night 4-2 in Toronto. A big reason to the Senators' success in March has been goaltender Linus Ullmark.
After closing out February with two poor starts, Ullmark has posted a 6-0-1 record in March. If the Senators were going to be a serious playoff contender, Ullmark needed to be consistent and he has. However, as the Senators get ready for their next game on Tuesday night, not starting the hot Ullmark might need to be given some thought with history from this season.
Ullmark's poor play against Canadiens raises question to start Ullmark or Forsberg on Tuesday
After earning the win against the Maple Leafs last night, Ullmark has an 18-11-3 record with a 2.66 goals against average and .912 save percentage this season. However, two of Ullmark's losses have come against the Montreal Canadiens, who the Senators play in their next game on Tuesday night on the road.
While Ullmark may be hot in goal at the moment, his play against the Canadiens has been poor. Ullmark's allowed in nine combined goals in two starts against the Canadiens this season. Ullmark's last start against the Canadiens was one of his worst starts of the season.
In the Senators' 5-2 loss against the Canadiens on Feb. 22, Ullmark was pulled in the second period when he allowed in five goals on 15 shots on goal by the Canadiens. Anton Forsberg would take over for Ullmark in relief and finished with 10 saves.
Forsberg was successful in his last start when he made 20 saves this past Tuesday to help the Senators earn a 5-2 win against the Philadelphia Flyers. Starting Forsberg over Ullmark against the Flyers ended up working out for the better.
Ullmark started the first game against the Flyers this season and it got ugly at the end. Ullmark allowed in five goals, which included three combined goals allowed in the third period and in overtime in the Senators' 5-4 overtime loss on Nov. 14. Forsberg helped earn a win in the second meeting against the Flyers.
Tuesday's game is another crucial game for the Senators as they're eager to have gain more points on teams behind them. One of those teams chasing the Senators are the Canadiens.
After the Canadiens' 3-1 win last night against the Florida Panthers, the Canadiens trail the Senators by six points in the standings. Tuesday's showdown will be a crucial game for both teams with the playoff chase in full effect. However, there could be come controversy on who to start between the pipes.