Throughout the Bruins’ first-round playoff series against the Panthers, Linus Ullmark brushed aside questions regarding his health.
But the optics out on the ice told another story.
Since getting pulled from Boston’s regular-season win over the Capitals on April 11, Ullmark fell below the lofty standards he set for himself during the regular season.
Despite starting in six of Boston’s seven playoff bouts with the Panthers, Ullmark skipped morning skate twice. Ahead of Game 3, Jim Montgomery tabbed him as a game-decision decision.
Between the pipes, Ullmark struggled with his lateral movement. The 29-year-old netminder was slow to get back on his skates when knocked to the ice.