Linus Ullmark providing the Bruins vital backbone during record-chasing season

SUNRISE, Florida – Linus Ullmark has always been on the fringe of the NHL goaltending spectrum. 

Through parts of six seasons in Buffalo he was a good tandem goalie, more of a 1B than a starter.

In his first season in Boston he shared the net, 41 games, but the Bruins still felt it was worth taking a shot on an out-of-retirement Tuukka Rask for a couple games. In the playoffs Ullmark faltered, getting benched in favor of Jeremy Swayman. 

Heading into this season goaltending was ok in Boston, but it wasn’t considered the strength that would carry the team.

So Ullmark’s elevation to Vezina front runner as a 29-year-old is notable. It’s even more notable in a year where the average standard for goaltending has plummeted. 

His .937 save percent is 13 points better than second-place Jake Oettinger,