Ottawa Senators Goalie Linus Ullmark: 'I Don't Know If My Game Is In A Good Place Or In A Bad Place'

It's been homecoming week for Ottawa Senators goalie Linus Ullmark. Times two.

Ullmark has only ever played for two other teams in his NHL career, and for the first time as a Senator, he gets to face them both this week.

On Tuesday, he started in Buffalo against the Sabres, the team he broke into the league with. And now, on Saturday night, Ullmark is the probable starter in Boston, where he and Jeremy Swayman were as formidable duo for three huggy seasons.

But Ullmark doesn't exactly return to Boston as the conquering hero. He lost the Tuesday game in Buffalo and now sports a 2-4 record with a sub-900 save percentage. Although it's still super early, that's a long way from his Vezina trophy-winning form from two years ago.

When asked about Ullmark's performance against the Sabres, head coach Travis Green described it as average. As for Ullmark's self evaluation, some brutal honesty emerged when he was asked by reporter Brent Wallace on Friday where he feels his game is at right now.

"Oh, that's a good question, because I do not know," Ullmark told the media. "I don't know if it's in a good place or in a bad place. All I know is that, for me, it's going to be exciting to go in there tomorrow and battle my heart out, try to make the most of it, enjoy it, try to soak it all in.

Despite the homecoming, there won't be any visiting or catching up with former Bruin teammates. Saturday's game is about trying to get two points and spending time with his new teammates, not making plans with his old ones.

"For me, at least, when you get to move to a different team or a new team, you try to disassociate as much as possible towards your old team. Because it's not important. What's important is the 22 guys in this locker room. And that's where I want to pay my attention."

Ullmark is treating this game like any other road game, no different than a trip to Utah. But he knows it won't be easy. He says it's never easy for anyone playing the Bruins in Boston.

"They've been a good team for so many years, so you've got to bring your A game. Which is also fun, it's exciting. And for me at least, that's where I want to thrive. It's these sort of situations where I feel that I'm getting more out of the actual game.

Ullmark thinks the group just needs to focus more on the process and let the results take care of themselves.

"It's all about wins and losses in the end. But for us as a group, it's also about sticking to the process. Thinking about down the road. We can't get caught up in just looking at the scoreboard at all times every game. It's all about getting better each and every day, try to build something that will last and not something that will crumble as soon as you hit the tougher days."

Ullmark isn't fazed by slumps, expectations or returning to former cities. He's just going to work his tail off, be the best pro he can and not worry about all the noise.

"Because at the end of the day, the sun will rise tomorrow. It's going to be a new hockey game. And the game's going to be played in Boston. And I'm going to be happy about that."

For full Ottawa Senators coverage, be sure to check out The Hockey News Ottawa.