Senators’ Linus Ullmark to start versus Penguins after Anton Forsberg injured in warm-up

After sustaining an off-ice injury in pregame warm-up, Ottawa Senators netminder Anton Forsberg will be out of action Saturday versus the Pittsburgh Penguins. In relief, Linus Ullmark will step into the Senators’ crease.

Zachary Dietz will serve as the Senators’ emergency backup goaltender, per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. A 22-year-old native of Freelton, Ont., Dietz is currently in his second season with the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees, where through three appearances he has logged a .930 save percentage and 1.72 goals-against average.

Ullmark has found the win column in each of his past four outings, where over that stretch he has allowed just three goals and combined for a .975 save percentage and 0.75 goals-against average. The 31-year-old Swedish-born netminder posted his second shutout of the season Friday as he turned aside all 32 shots en route to a 3-0 road victory over the Carolina Hurricanes.

Suiting up in his first season with the Senators, Ullmark has posted a 9-7-2 record through 19 appearances coupled with a .909 save percentage and 2.55 goals-against average. Prior to joining the Senators, the veteran goaltender spent the past three campaigns with the Atlantic Division rival Boston Bruins. His time in the Massachusetts capital was underscored by a Vezina Trophy win in 2022-23.

The Senators acquired Ullmark from the Bruins in a June deal that returned goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, center Mark Kastelic, and a 2024 first-round draft pick to Boston. In early October, the Senators inked Ullmark to a four-year extension that carries an $8.25-million annual average value, per PuckPedia. The new contract begins in October.

On the season, the Senators sit 14-13-2 and two points back of the second wildcard position in the Eastern Conference. The club is riding a two-game win streak and will look to make it three consecutive victories Saturday versus the Penguins.