Throughout his career, Linus Ullmark has shut down this NHL legend incredibly well

From being selected with the 163rd overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres, to winning the 2023 Vezina Trophy and to now being a key part of the Ottawa Senators roster. Goaltender Linus Ullmark has turned into one of the best goaltenders in the NHL.

Ullmark's NHL career had rough stretches when he began in Buffalo. It was with the Boston Bruins in which Ullmark first got recognition with a solid 2021-22 season. Then in the next season, Ullmark won the Vezina Trophy with leading the NHL with 40 wins, a 1.89 goals against average and .938 save percentage.

For the upcoming 2025-26 season, Ullmark will be relied on heavily by the Senators to return to the playoffs. Ullmark and backup Leevi Merilainen are one of the best goaltending tandems in the NHL. However, some might not know that throughout Ullmark's career, he has been incredible against one of the NHL's greatest players.

Ullmark has denied the Great Eight on many occasions

Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin will go down as the best goal scorer in NHL history. This past April, Ovechkin broke Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record. Ovechkin's legacy in NHL history is one of the best.

However, despite scoring on so many goaltenders throughout his 20-year career, Ovechkin hasn't fared well scoring against Ullmark in what some fans might find shocking.

This week to celebrate #NHLGoalieWeek on social media, NHL recently posted goaltending stats against top players on Instagram. One of the posts included Ullmark and his goaltending play against Ovechkin.

Throughout Ullmark's career, he's stopped 36-of-38 shots on goal against Ovechkin. That is good for a solid .947 save percentage.

While Ullmark has a 6-5-2 record all-time against the Capitals in his career according to StatMuse, he's fared well stopping Ovechkin from scoring. Last season in the Senators' March 3 game against the Capitals on the road, Ullmark earned the loss after the Senators fell 5-4 in a shootout.

Even in the loss, Ullmark was solid with making 37 saves. The best save from Ullmark during the game was when he robbed Ovechkin with a blocker save in the first period to keep the score 2-0.

For the upcoming 2025-26 season, Ullmark and the Senators play Ovechkin and the Capitals three times. Two times at Capital One Arena on Oct. 25 and March 18, and once at Canadian Tire Centre on Jan. 1.

Ovechkin will be eager to add to his career goal total, but Ullmark's success against him could swing in the Senators' favor for the games between the two teams.