![[UPDATE] PlayStation Network is back and running](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/02ToD4H7iBKJXGD8xpj3dxR/hero-image.fill.size_1200x675.v1739025331.jpg)
Pinto’s newfound confidence helps Senators win spirited Battle of Ontario
The Senators found a way to win a spirited Battle of Ontario despite only scoring two goals. How? One reason: Shane Pinto shut down Auston Matthews while potting the game-winner.
OTTAWA — What happened last time the Toronto Maple Leafs played in Ottawa? For both teams, it definitely did slap into their minds on Saturday.
Last season, Ridly Greig slapped a puck like a rocket into Toronto’s empty net. It drew the immediate ire of Morgan Rielly who cross-checked Greig in the head and triggered a five-game suspension.
People may not like it but sports are at their best when there is hate.
“It’s probably good for the game,” said Greig about his slapshot goal. “I think a lot of people hated it. A lot of people loved it. It’s probably good for the rivalry.”
/* if ( "1" == true && 'undefined' !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) { var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}}; adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6367772740112&cmsid=384', so, permalink); } else { adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6367772740112&cmsid=384"; } */ adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6367772740112&cmsid=384"; var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes("cust_params"); var queryString=''; if(adServerUrl_result){ var gettheDUFI = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem("theRED_loc");
if(gettheDUFI){ queryString += "dufiid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; queryString += "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; var ppid = "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; }
var DUFI_IP = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem("DUFI_IP");
if(DUFI_IP){ queryString += "dufiip=" + DUFI_IP + '&'; }
adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + 'cust_params=' + encodeURIComponent(queryString) ); }
$el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") );
$( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-610141" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: true, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6367772740112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", adserverurl: adServerUrl, section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/6367772740112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/senators-take-the-lead-on-maple-leafs-with-a-bounce-off-shane-pintos-knee/" }); });
So, it was sweet for the Senators players to shut down the pro-Leaf crowd in Ottawa Saturday night in a 2-1 victory — the first time the two teams have faced each other in the Canadian Tire Centre since that Greig slapper.
“Don’t want to chirp them, but to send the Leafs home upset is nice,” said Shane Pinto.
Hockey fans (outside Toronto) should love it.
On multiple occasions, the public address announcer played ‘Go Sens Go’ music during the game to hold back the adoring Leafs fans – unsuccessfully. To the naked eye, Toronto fans made up 80 per cent of the arena as the small contingent of Senators fans chanted “Leafs suck.”
The two teams played a subdued game in Toronto in November where no shenanigans occurred and Ottawa won 3-0. This time, the animosity started from the jump. It began with Brady Tkachuk, because of course it did, who skirmished with William Nylander and Max Domi in the first period.
Later in the period, Nick Cousins left the game after a knee-on-knee hit with Toronto’s Jacob Quillan, who was playing in his first NHL game. Ottawa head coach Travis Green said Cousins will be out for “a while.”
/* if ( "1" == true && 'undefined' !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) { var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}}; adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6367765632112&cmsid=384', so, permalink); } else { adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6367765632112&cmsid=384"; } */ adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6367765632112&cmsid=384"; var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes("cust_params"); var queryString=''; if(adServerUrl_result){ var gettheDUFI = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem("theRED_loc");
if(gettheDUFI){ queryString += "dufiid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; queryString += "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; var ppid = "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; }
var DUFI_IP = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem("DUFI_IP");
if(DUFI_IP){ queryString += "dufiip=" + DUFI_IP + '&'; }
adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + 'cust_params=' + encodeURIComponent(queryString) ); }
$el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") );
$( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-956505" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: true, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6367765632112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", adserverurl: adServerUrl, section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/6367765632112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/senators-cousins-forced-to-exit-game-after-knee-on-knee-collision/" }); });
Unlike recent prior matchups between the two teams, the game actually meant something, finally. One team is primed to make the playoffs, and the other is right in the mix.
Both teams played playoff-style, tight-checking “low-event” hockey. But the Leafs struck first early when Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle lost Bobby McMann in front, who ripped it past Anton Forsberg to open the scoring.
After Tkachuk’s kerfuffle with Domi, it led to four-on-four action. In the more open ice, Artem Zub drew a penalty.
A dormant power play that needed a “Zum” of life, got it.
Jake Sanderson fed Stutzle on the far corner to tie the game 1-1. The goal snapped a one-for-20 stretch on the man advantage.
Green can also thank Stutzle for getting a buzzcut before the game.
“I asked my barber if I can pull it off. And he said ‘no’,” said Stutzle. “So, I was all right, let’s go for it. Yeah, got a couple laughs from the boys. That’s exactly what I wanted.”
However, goals have been hard to come by for the Senators lately and were again on Saturday night. Ottawa’s been shut out five times in the month of January.
“We’ve done a good job for creating chances, top 10 there,” said Green before the game. “But we haven’t finished, quite frankly. (We’re) 32nd in finishing, and some of our guys have been snake bitten.”
Against Toronto, they were out-chanced 21-18 and 10-9 in high-danger opportunities, according to Natural Stat Trick. But they found a way to win for the third time this month when scoring two goals.
How? One reason: Shane Pinto shut down Auston Matthews while potting the game-winner.
It’s been a tough season for Pinto who had eight goals in 40 games entering the game. With Josh Norris out, his play is critical. But Pinto had been confident of late, despite having just two goals in his last 15 games heading into Saturday.
“I think growing up, you’re always scoring, and at every level,” Pinto told Sportsnet.ca last week. “You score, and then you come here and obviously go through your stretches (without), but you just got to learn that’s part of the maturing process.”
All night, he hounded Matthews, deflecting shots, intercepting pucks and creating in transition. Matthews managed only one shot.
“It’s a big ask,” said Green on Pinto matching up with Matthews. “Going up against one of the best players in the game. I thought that line did a great job tonight.”
Midway through the third period, Pinto rushed the net as Matthew Highmore’s shot bounced off Pinto to squeak past Joseph Woll for the game-winning 2-1 goal. They don’t ask how, but how ugly.
“Just went to the net. Highmore found a way to hit me,” said Pinto. “I just hit off my knee, and it’s nice to get one of those.”
Pinto’s goal continued an incredible statistic that I am sure some Senators fans know. The Senators are 25-7-2 when Pinto scores a goal in his career and 6-0-0 this season.
“Gotta do more of it,” said Pinto. “I think I just got to contribute more, and hopefully we keep winning when that happens.”
Pinto is sixth on the team in expected goals percentage of 54.97 per cent, suggesting that more goals are to come.
/* if ( "1" == true && 'undefined' !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) { var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}}; adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6367770974112&cmsid=384', so, permalink); } else { adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6367770974112&cmsid=384"; } */ adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6367770974112&cmsid=384"; var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes("cust_params"); var queryString=''; if(adServerUrl_result){ var gettheDUFI = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem("theRED_loc");
if(gettheDUFI){ queryString += "dufiid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; queryString += "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; var ppid = "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; }
var DUFI_IP = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem("DUFI_IP");
if(DUFI_IP){ queryString += "dufiip=" + DUFI_IP + '&'; }
adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + 'cust_params=' + encodeURIComponent(queryString) ); }
$el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") );
$( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-963670" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: true, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6367770974112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", adserverurl: adServerUrl, section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/6367770974112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/its-a-tough-league-stutzle-on-team-searching-for-consistent-scoring/" }); });
Meanwhile, Highmore didn’t just hit Pinto for the goal but also the Toronto bench with an errant clearance in the third period, which led Nylander to throw the puck at Highmore. At least it wasn’t a crosscheck.
Someone who wanted to have the puck hit him was Anton Forsberg who shut the door, making multiple ten-bell saves in the third period to seal the win. He finished with 28 stops. In his last three starts, he’s only allowed one goal.
“We stuck with it the whole way. We didn’t cheat the game,” said Forsberg. “We haven’t scored a lot the last couple of games, but we haven’t let in a lot of goals either. So that’s the way we’ll win games.”
Once again, the Senators have a goaltender on a heater from Leevi Merilainen last week to Linus Ullmark’s sweltering December stretch. And Ullmark is “close to returning” according to Green.
The Senators have the options in goal that they simply haven’t had in ages. They are eighth in goals allowed and sixth in expected goals allowed, according to Natural Stat Trick.
“We’re really good at shutting down games,” said Forsberg.
Good goaltending, special teams, and depth scoring are how you win in the regular season and especially in the playoffs. Right now, based on points percentage, Ottawa would play Toronto in the first round of the playoffs. Sign me up and put a clapper on top.
Adams’ Apples
Drake Batherson told Sportsnet.ca that he was paying to play tonight with his parents and extended family in town. He said his family were all Leafs fans but he’s converted them. Maybe some Sens season ticket holders who sold their tickets on the secondary market or decided not to go for Saturday’s game can take note.
