NHL analyst Jeff O’Neill has blasted Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark for taking a day off amid the team’s critical push for the playoffs.
Ullmark took the day off to rest during the Senators’ 4-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. It was a game in which goaltending played a crucial role, as the Senators blew a 2-0 lead.
The win could have solidified the Senators’ position in the Eastern Conference wild-card standings. However, they are currently two points out of a wild-card spot.
Appearing on TSN OverDrive, O’Neill criticized Linus Ullmark, calling his decision to sit out such a critical matchup “completely unacceptable.” He noted that Ullmark had faced personal difficulties earlier in the season, with the team and organization supporting him, but emphasized that everyone needs to contribute during a playoff chase.
“What Linus Ullmark did on Saturday night was completely unacceptable. I know he’s had his difficulties this year; his team stood by him, the organization stood by him. This is about the team chasing the playoffs and everybody contributing, and he said he needed a day off in the biggest game of the year,” O’Neal said.
He added:
“Not buying it. It’s not part of the league. You don’t get to pick and choose when you want to feel good and when you don’t. He owes his team a performance tonight, and I hope he does it, because that stunt he pulled on Saturday was completely unacceptable. Not in the NHL.
Linus Ullmark has been solid for the Senators between the pipes. The 32-year-old has posted a record of 23-10-8, going 2.75 GAA with a .889 save percentage.
Ottawa Senators fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning in Linus Ullmark’s absence
On Saturday, the Ottawa Senators (38-25-10) suffered a 4-2 defeat to the Tampa Bay Lightning (46-21-6) at the Benchmark International Arena.
Dylan Cozens opened the scoring for the Senators after putting them ahead 1-0 just 18 seconds into the first period. Jordan Spence increased the lead to 2-0 before heading into the second period.
Brandon Hagel cut the deficit to 2-1 for the Bolts at 3:37 of the second period. Charle-Edouard D’Astous tied it 2-2 before heading into the final period. Emil Lilleberg made it 3-2 for Tampa Bay at 8:51 of the third period before Jake Guentzel scored the winner at 17:48.
Linus Ullmark and the Sens travel to Amerant Bank Arena to face the Florida Panthers (35-35-3) next on Tuesday. The puck drops at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Edited by Abhishek Dilta
