Linus Ullmark shows once again that he can be a ‘closer’ for the Bruins

Linus Ullmark has been arguably the single biggest reason for the Boston Bruins’ historic success in the 2022-23 season. And one could make the case that he was the No. 1 factor in a 3-2 comeback win over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday at TD Garden.

Ullmark stopped 30 of 32 Detroit shots in total, shutting the door after the opposition potted two quick ones to put the Bruins in an early hole. But he saved his best performance for the third period, turning aside all 15 shots, including a huge glove save on Alex Chiasson from close range.

• Linus Ullmark makes a HUGE glove save, robbing Chiasson blind in tight#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/AiUF0Qi0Ne

  — Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) March 11, 2023

• Ullmark had one of his classic one-liners when asked how he made that stop (“Lifting the glove hand.”), but went on to explain that instinct simply took over on a bang-bang play. It’s been that kind of season for Ullmark, who has shown the ability to come up with big saves at all moments of the game.

  “Play it by ear, basically, and then hope for the best and then try to get a quick read,” Ullmark said. “That happens so quick. Sometimes you just see it develop when they shoot it, and sometimes there’s no time, there’s no read, and you just try to get something in there.”

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  Mar 11, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) celebrates at the final whistle of their 3-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

• It was almost like three different games on Saturday. The Boston-Detroit shot totals went like this, period by period: 11-15, 18-2, 9-15. The Bruins’ dominating second period gave them the 38-32 overall edge in shots on goal, but the high-danger scoring chances were closer at 16-14.

  Of utmost importance was for Ullmark to both start and finish strong. The goaltender acknowledged that the Bruins “just weren’t ready” for the Red Wings’ hot start, and told each other “We gotta ramp it up a little bit” between the first and second periods. But Ullmark’s consistency was a powerful common thread for the B’s in this one, and it’s been a massive asset throughout the season.

  The Bruins’ relentless fourth line proved to be a difference-maker on Saturday, with Garnet Hathaway scoring the eventual game-winner with just 6:06 left in regulation. But much credit is due to Ullmark for keeping the game tied up to that point in the third period.

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  Mar 11, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Dominik Kubalik (81) skates off the ice as the Boston Bruins congratulate each other after their 3-2 win at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

• The Bruins are the NHL’s best third-period team, and the simplest reason why is that they lead the league in both goals scored (92) and goals against (43) in the final 20 minutes. Ullmark has been the biggest reason for the lack of goals allowed, to be certain, and that’s why his efforts in Saturday’s comeback shouldn’t go unnoticed in what was otherwise a great team win.

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  Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.