The Game 4 performance of Linus Ullmark probably will be best remembered for his role in a third-period incident with Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk, but the Bruins goaltender previously was pivotal in helping Boston build a commanding lead in its 6-2 victory.
Ullmark recorded a playoff career-high 41 saves on 43 shots before exiting Boston’s win with three minutes remaining after he dropped the gloves trying to scrap with Tkachuk. Ullmark’s early work fended off the Panthers, who recorded the first 10 shots of the game, and impressed Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery and many teammates.
“They came with a really good push and he allowed us to weather the storm and start going back at them,” Montgomery told reporters, per the team. “That one where he dove across with his body in the first, I mean, that’s a goal, right? That’s a high-end save and he probably made four to six more of those kind.
“There was one glove save he made, too, on a rebound that was just spectacular, but he’s been doing that for us all year. It’s amazing how calm I am when I see scrambles in front of his net, because he’s calm.”
You can watch the diving stop Montgomery referenced here:
The Vezina Trophy favorite started the Bruins’ first four playoff games and currently has a .921 postseason save percentage.
Boston has the opportunity to eliminate Florida from the Stanley Cup playoffs Wednesday night in Game 5. Puck drop from TD Garden is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, and you can watch it live on NESN.
