Report: “Debilitating” Injury Derailed Bruins Netminder

After a Vezina-worthy season, Boston Bruins followers were in shock to see goaltender Linus Ullmark play such a wonky first-round series (eventually being replaced for Game 7). 

Turns out there was a physical reason behind it. 

@NHLBruins . Like all teams ; players grit it out to play through major injuries in the Playoffs. My sources tell me soon to be Vezina G Ullmark was playing through a debilitating & painful injury that limited his mobility and technique. @espn @NHL @NHLNetwork #HockeyTwitter

— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) May 1, 2023

As noted by NHL Insider Kevin Weekes, Ullmark played in the first-round with "a debilitating & painful injury that limited his mobility and technique."

He becomes the second Bruin to admit, post-elimination, that they were playing hurt. Captain Patrice Bergeron outlined his ailment on Monday. 

As for Ullmark, he looked awkward at times in the first round, and certainly wasn't himself. After a season in which he posted a spectacular 40-6-1 record with a league-leading 1.89 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage, his playoff numbers were almost embarrassing: 3-3, 3.33 GAA and .896 SV%.

He was replaced by Jeremy Swayman for Game 7, which the Bruins ultimately lost in overtime to the Florida Panthers, 4-3. 

It's clear that Ullmark's injury bothered him more and more as the series went along, and it leaves Bruins fans to wonder why he wasn't replaced sooner, with the team holding a 3-1 series lead. 

Nevertheless, Ullmark will undoubtedly be holding up some hardware next month when the NHL Awards are handed out, as the runaway leader in the Vezina Trophy race. 

Photo: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports