Senators head coach Travis Green provides an important update on Linus Ullmark's in-game injury

The Ottawa Senators' winning streak snapped Sunday night during a 3-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. But the loss was not the only tough blow taken at Rogers Place.

Their star goalie, Linus Ullmark, left before the second period with a back injury and did not return.

The 31-year-old has been a presence at the center of much of the Senators' recent good fortune, taking the NHL's «Three Stars» honors as the league's third star during the week of Dec. 9 to Dec. 16, so even the prospect of his absence would negatively affect them.

The bright side is that initial reports don't indicate a serious ailment, so all is not lost as the Senators look further down their schedule.

Ottawa next plays Saturday, which gives Linus Ullmark a bit of time to rest, and head coach Travis Green wasted no time yanking Ullmark in favor of backup Leevi Merilainen, the Senators' most experienced healthy goalie.

The Senators dropped to 18-14-2, and, after an 8-2-0 stretch, are in the second wild card in the Eastern Conference.

Ullmark has been essential to that spurt, going 8-0-1 with a 1.48 goals-against average, a .952 save percentage, and two shutouts in his past nine appearances.

Anton Forsberg is also on IR, which would increase the chances for Leevi Merilainen to get more games. His inexperience at the NHL level, 1-2-1 with a 3.96 GAA, is a concern.

Other options are the AHL star Mads Sogaard or veteran Malcolm Subban, who offers the most NHL experience among those who may be called up.

The Senators have a few days before they have to go in that direction. Meanwhile, they will not find it easy to keep playoff hopes alive without Ullmark.