Ullmark shines in Ottawa debut, Senators defeat Panthers 3-1

In Ottawa, Ontario, Linus Ullmark made a significant impact in his debut for the Senators, leading the team to a 3-1 victory over the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers. The game took place on Thursday night, marking the opening of the season for both teams. Ullmark showcased his skills by making 30 saves, crucial in maintaining the Senators' lead throughout the match. Tim Stutzle was instrumental in the victory, scoring the first goal during a power play in the first period and sealing the win with an empty-net goal in the third period. The Senators took an early lead with another goal from Shane Pinto in the first period, putting them ahead 2-0. However, the Panthers managed to score later in the game, with Gustav Forsling finding the net with just over four minutes remaining. The Panthers faced a setback when their captain, Aleksander Barkov, sustained an injury late in the third period while attempting to prevent an empty-net goal, leaving uncertainty about his condition. Despite the Panthers' efforts, including 29 saves from their goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, they could not recover from the early deficit. The Senators' defensive strategy proved effective, as they blocked 27 shots throughout the game. Ullmark's performance was particularly noteworthy, as he improved his record to 10-1-0 in his last 11 starts against Florida. Looking ahead, the Panthers will face the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, while the Senators are set to play against the Montreal Canadiens on the same day, both teams eager to build on their season's momentum.