LINUS ULLMARK RETURNS TO THE NET.

Linus Ullmark is back.

After missing nine consecutive games with an injury, the Ottawa Senators' No. 1 goaltender returns to the crease Thursday night against the Colorado Avalanche.

And his return couldn't come at a better time.

Ullmark leads the NHL in both save percentage (.945) and goals-against average (1.33), posting a 7-1-0 record before suffering an injury on Oct. 21.

The 32-year-old also ranks sixth in the NHL with 8.3 goals saved above expected, according to MoneyPuck.com.

His return provides a major boost to a Senators team dealing with injuries throughout its lineup as it prepares to face one of the NHL's top teams.

Ullmark has been a full participant in practice since last week, but his return took longer than initially expected.

There were a couple of false starts.

When Jonas Johansson was sent down to Belleville on Monday, all signs pointed to Ullmark returning Tuesday against Washington. Instead, Jackson Parsons was recalled to serve as the backup to Samuel Ersson.

"Thought about starting him today, but wanted to give him another few days," head coach Travis Green said Tuesday.

The extra rest appears to have been enough.

Ullmark did not participate in Thursday's morning skate but will get the start against Colorado.

While Ersson has performed well in Ullmark's absence, there's little question about the importance of getting Ottawa's No. 1 goaltender back.

Since joining the Senators ahead of the 2024-25 season, Ullmark has posted a 60-27-11 record.

Without Ullmark in goal over that same period, Ottawa is 40-36-9.

Now, after nine games on the sidelines, the Senators finally have their No. 1 goaltender back.