James Reimer Emerges as Stabilizing Force for Senators During Ullmark's Absence
The Ottawa Senators have found a welcome source of stability in their turbulent goaltending situation with veteran netminder James Reimer stepping up during Linus Ullmark's leave of absence. As the team prepares to face the Nashville Predators on Thursday night at Bridgestone Arena, Reimer's early contributions have provided a much-needed boost to a position that has struggled throughout the season.
Reimer's Impact in Early Games
In just two appearances since signing as an unrestricted free agent ten days ago, James Reimer has demonstrated why the Senators brought him aboard. The 37-year-old goaltender recorded his first win in a Senators uniform with 21 saves in a 4-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night, following a solid debut performance against Detroit where he made 30 stops in a 4-3 overtime loss.
Through his first two games with Ottawa, Reimer has stopped 51 of 56 shots faced, posting a 2.51 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage. These numbers represent a significant improvement for a team that entered Thursday's game with the worst save percentage in the entire NHL at .867.
Team Response to Reimer's Performance
Senators players have quickly recognized Reimer's stabilizing influence. Alternate captain Thomas Chabot praised the veteran goaltender after the win in Columbus, stating, "He was awesome. He made some big saves on the penalty kill, he made some big saves and kept us in it. I just thought it was a full team win. We've been close to it the last couple of games and we did it for the full 60 minutes."
Reimer's arrival marks the 14th different goaltender to suit up for the Senators since the organization moved on from Craig Anderson at the conclusion of the shortened 2019-20 campaign. His experience and steady presence have brought a refreshing change to a position that has seen considerable turnover and inconsistency.
Organizational Goaltending Decisions
The Senators' decision to sign Reimer came after backup goaltender Leevi Merilainen showed limited progress while filling the number one role following Linus Ullmark's leave of absence for mental health reasons on December 28th. President of hockey operations and general manager Steve Staios made the move to bring in Reimer, subsequently sending Merilainen to the American Hockey League affiliate in Belleville.
The 23-year-old Merilainen needs additional development time, and Reimer provides the Senators with a reliable option to hold down the fort for the remainder of the season. Hunter Shepard was recalled to dress as the backup in Columbus, while Merilainen was expected to start for Belleville against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Wednesday.
Looking Ahead to Nashville
As the Senators prepare to face the Nashville Predators, Reimer's presence offers the team improved confidence in their defensive game. While two games represent a small sample size, the veteran's performance has already demonstrated his ability to make crucial saves during critical moments, particularly evident when the Senators clung to a 2-1 lead in the second period against Columbus with the Blue Jackets enjoying three power plays.
The Senators' goaltending situation remains fluid as they await Ullmark's return, but Reimer's early contributions suggest the team may have found temporary stability in a position that has been problematic all season. His experience and steady play provide Ottawa with a reliable option as they navigate this challenging period in their schedule.
