The Ottawa Senators are one of many teams in the Atlantic Division hoping to build on their momentum from last season, as they managed to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since their run to Game 7 of the 2017 Eastern Conference Final.
However, the Senators have had to deal with multiple injuries to key players, not the least of which was team captain Brady Tkachuk. But now, they’re dealing with yet another to one of their more important contributors.
Forward Shane Pinto, who leads the team with 12 goals, is expected to miss at least the next two weeks at a minimum, according to head coach Travis Green.
He was injured when he was hit by New York Rangers forward (and former Senator) Mika Zibanejad during Ottawa’s 4-2 setback on home ice on Thursday evening. He was in obvious discomfort as he skated back to the bench, and now his fate for the immediate future has been confirmed.
“It’s a big part of our team,” Green said on Saturday following the morning skate. “Like when Brady got hurt, [Chabot] – those are big parts of your team. We’re going to miss him when he’s out. When he gets back that’ll be great.”
Before Thursday’s game, the Senators called up reinforcements from the American Hockey League affiliate Belleville Senators, as forward Stephen Halliday was slotted into the team’s fourth line.
Without Pinto, the Senators host the St. Louis Blues at Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday evening; puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET.
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Ottawa Senators Forward Shane Pinto Was On Pace For A Career-High In Goals
Pinto, whom the Senators selected early in the second round (32nd overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft, had already tallied 12 goals in the 27 games he appeared in so far this season, a pace of 36 goals over an 82-game span.
Additionally, he’s already established a new career-high in average ice time per game this season at 18:57 per game.
His previous career-high in goals scored was 21 goals scored in 70 games played last season.
Before the extend of Pinto’s injury was known, Green spoke glowingly about the role he plays for the team while noting that he plays in all situations.
“It doesn’t get more important than that,” said Green about Pinto’s role on Friday. “He plays the power play, he plays the penalty kill, he plays when you’re up a goal, good chance he’ll play when you’re down a goal, he’s a big part of our team.”
Pinto has skated in 237 career games, all with Ottawa, and has scored 63 goals with 62 assists. During the playoffs last season, Pinto contributed a goal with an assists in six games against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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The Ottawa Senators Have Dealt With Multiple Injuries This Season
Pinto, who was placed on Injured Reserve, is hardly the only Senators player to have been forced to miss time with an injury so far this season.
As mentioned, team captain Brady Tkachuk missed multiple weeks because of a hand injury, while forward Lars Eller (undisclosed) and defenseman Tomas Chabot (upper-body) are also both currently unavailable.
Drake Batherson also missed time earlier in the season.
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