Boston Bruins’ goaltender Linus Ullmark has been fined for high-sticking Tampa Bay Lightning forward Michael Eyssimont during the game between the two teams last night. The fine will be to the maximum amount allowed under the CBA and will be deposited in the Player’s Emergency Assistance Fund.
The incident occurred at the 5:21 mark of the third period. The Lightning ended up winning the game by a score of 3-2 in the shootout. Erik Cernak and Nikita Kucherov were the goal scorers for Tampa Bay and Charlie McAvoy and James van Riemsdyk scored for the Bruins. Ullmark turned away 23 of 25 shots for a .920 save percentage and 1.04 goals saved above expected.
Ullmark has been strong in the Bruins’ crease this year with a 16-6-3 record and a 2.60 GAA and .917 SV%. His play has seemingly regressed to the mean which is near his career average. In the two seasons prior to the Bruins’ triumphant 2022-23 regular season performance, Ullmark put up a .917 save percentage in each of those seasons. The first was with the Sabres and the second with the Bruins.
The Bruins’ 1A/1B strategy in net has paid off in spades. Jeremy Swayman seems to be taking the reigns and could be the full-time starter for the Bruins in the near future. Trade rumours have swirled around these two netminders for a while now but the Bruins are happy with what they have right now and as long as the current arrangement continues to work, they see no reason to break it up.
Ullmark has two years remaining on his contract at $5 million, while Swayman signed a one-year deal for $3.475 million in arbitration last offseason. If the Bruins decide to ink Swayman to a hefty long-term contract it could have ramifications for Ullmark’s future.
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