Linus Ullmark overcome with emotion in first game back.

Veteran Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark has gone through quite the ordeal this season. Things got off to a tough start for Ullmark who struggled in goal to open the season, and that would only get worse when Ullmark would step away from the team to take a personal leave of absence. It was a big blow to a Senators organization who were hoping to take a step forward by making the playoffs, with a fair bit of those hopes placed firmly on the shoulders of their number one goaltender.

Ullmark would miss a month of action as a result of his leave of absence, playing in his final game before the extended layoff during a December 27th game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

In spite of the fact that Ullmark had missed a significant length of time, the Senators opted to quickly go back to Ullmark on Saturday night with their number one goaltender rewarding the team's faith in him. Ullmark would face 27 shots from the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, stopping all but one of them, on his way to recording a very impressive .963 save percentage in his return to the ice.

After the game's conclusion, Ullmark would earn first star honors for his incredible performance and it was clear that the moment meant a great deal to him. The emotion was written all over Ullmark's face as he skated around the rink thanking the crowd, and he took several deep breaths before exhaling as if a great weight had suddenly been lifted off his shoulders.

It was a great moment and a great display from the fans in Ottawa to make their goalie feel welcomed after such a challenging period of time.