Ex-Boston Bruins fan favourite Linus Ullmark set to make his official return to TD Garden

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Joshua Deeds
November 9, 2024 (9:00)

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Today the Bruins face the Ottawa Senators, in what should be an emotional return to Boston. The former Vezina Trophy winner built his success in Boston, despite never winning a cup.

How does Ullmark feel about returning to his home, away from home in Boston?

"It's going to be fun, interesting, a lot of emotions, but I feel that it's going to be sort of a forever memory," Ullmark told NHL.com's Amalie Benjamin.

Ullmark spent the last 3 years with the Boston Bruins and was part of a goalie duo, that won hearts and minds of fans in the league with their famed goalie hugs.

During his 3-year reign in Boston, he won the Vezina Trophy, went to the playoffs in multiple seasons, and played 130 games in the Black and Gold, with a 126-88-26 record with a 2.28 GAA, and a .924 save percentage.

He'll return to friendships he built, as Jeremy Swayman felt that Ullmark was a mentor on his path to success in the NHL as well.

"It's one of those things you don't realize how good it was until it's gone," Swayman said. "I'm so lucky to have (Joonas Korpisalo) now. It was just such a seamless transition, our friendship and camaraderie, but it's just like losing a brother. You create all these traditions, you create such an incredible bond, and you've got to find new ones.

"It's like starting fresh again. I still find myself doing some routines that we still did together, which is really fun. It's something that I find comforting and what I'm used to and helps you get into a routine of things. But I miss him a ton."

The Ottawa Senators and Linus Ullmark should arrive in Boston hungry and looking for a win.

As they're 7th in the Atlantic Division, with a 6-7-0 record in the NHL, and his old team in their current ways are ripe for picking a "W' from.

But can the Bruins defeat an old friend? You'd think they know Ullmark's strengths and weaknesses enough to find the gap needed to win.

So this will be an emotional homecoming for Ullmark, but when game time rolls around he'll have to forego the formalities and love and become the brick wall we know he can be.

Ullmark has played 7 games this season with a 2-4-0 record, with a 3.02 GAA, and a .892 save percentage.

Maybe it really is the Senators who are bad?