Senators’ Shane Pinto is Making Up For Lost Time

Over their past 10 games, the Ottawa Senators have posted a 6-2-2 record, but even better, the team has earned points in five of six outings (4-1-1) since Shane Pinto made his return to the lineup on January 21 in Philadelphia.

And it’s no coincidence the club has been able to ice their best roster during this time. Interim head coach Jacques Martin is the beneficiary of being able to ice a full triumvirate of forwards, which includes Pinto and fellow centres Josh Norris and Tim Stützle, something former head coach D.J Smith was only able to do on 25 occasions since Pinto made his NHL debut April 17, 2021, in Montreal.

Signed to a one-year pro-rated $775,000 contract, Pinto said the suspension “broke his heart” upon returning to skate with his Senators’ teammates.

To his credit, the 23-year-old hasn’t displayed any rust after completing his 41-game ban for violating the NHL’s sports wagering rules. Pinto hasn’t missed a beat, jumping in where he left off last season when he registered 20 goals and 15 assists in 82 games played in what was deemed his rookie campaign.

The Senators’ 2019 32nd overall selection was limited to only five appearances in 2021-22 after a shoulder injury sidelined him for three weeks four games into the season. Pinto tweaked his shoulder in his return to the lineup and subsequently required surgery.

In his six games to date, the Long Island area resident has produced two goals and two assists, which includes his spectacular overtime game-winner in Detroit, the Senators’ final game prior to the All-Star break. Pinto out-raced former Senator Alex DeBrincat, driving to the net to reach out and steer Thomas Chabot’s pass by Red Wings netminder Alex Lyon.