The Ottawa Senators are off to a terrific start in 2026-27, going 7-3-0 through their first 10 games. The latest exclamation point was Wednesday night's 5-1 drubbing of Brady Tkachuk and the Florida Panthers on home ice, a contest with no shortage of fireworks.

But things are going to get considerably more difficult without star goaltender Linus Ullmark, who exited the victory with a lower-body injury.

He was placed on injured reserve Thursday, ruling him out for at least seven days from the injury.

“That's at least three games and likely more,” longtime Senators reporter Bruce Garrioch reported shortly after the announcement.

Ullmark made a save on a hard shot from former teammate Tkachuk in the third period before hunching over in pain, prompting officials to stop play.

The Sens have placed goaltender Linus Ullmark on injured reserve and he will be out at least a week 🤕

Ullmark appeared to tweak something during a routine save in the 3rd period of last night's game and needed assistance getting off the ice. pic.twitter.com/L2Ga3aThDh

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) October 22, 2026

Head coach Travis Green said the Swede is dealing with a lower-body strain and would undergo further evaluation Thursday. No recovery timeline has been announced.

Entering Wednesday's contest, Ullmark had posted a 6-1-0 record with a sparkling 1.33 goals-against average and .945 save percentage.

Samuel Ersson played the final 16:35, stopping the only shot he faced. He figures to handle the starting duties until Ullmark is ready to return.

Ullmark also exited a game against the Boston Bruins earlier this month following a collision with JJ Peterka. It's unclear whether the two injuries are related.

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In a corresponding move, the Senators recalled Jonas Johansson from the American Hockey League's Belleville Senators. The 31-year-old most recently played for the Tampa Bay Lightning, recording 11 wins in 25 appearances last season while backing up Andrei Vasilevskiy.

Johansson could get a look during Ullmark's absence, particularly with Ersson having lost both of his starts while conceding 11 goals to the Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues.

For an Ottawa team looking to build on its strong start, replacing Ullmark's excellent early production will be a significant test.

The Senators are back in action against Macklin Celebrini and the visiting San Jose Sharks on Thursday night, with Ersson expected to start the cross-conference matchup.