Two key players on the Ottawa Senators that the team is missing in the lineup are Artem Zub and Shane Pinto. Even with both of them out of the lineup, the Senators currently have a 6-5-0 record.
Zub hasn't played since Oct. 14 after sustaining a concussion on a hit by Tanner Jeannot. For Pinto, he hasn't played since Oct. 22 after being diagnosed with an undisclosed injury.
For the Senators to be at full strength, they need both Zub and Pinto to return to the lineup immediately. However, good news came out for the Senators today regarding both Zub and Pinto with their injuries.
Zub and Pinto both practiced this morning to make progress with their injuries
The Senators held practice at Canadian Tire Centre this morning before their game tomorrow night at KeyBank Center against the Buffalo Sabres. According to TSN 1200 Ottawa, both Zub and Pinto were both on the ice at practice which is a good sign for the Senators.
Zub would get time with drills with a lot of time working with Jake Sanderson. Better news came out with Zub as he was on the ice for the entire practice, but not for Pinto. Even with Pinto not being on the ice for the entire practice, Pinto is still making progress to return.
Zub was on the ice for the entire practice. Pinto was not.
— TSN 1200 Ottawa (@TSN1200) November 4, 2024
On Oct. 31, head coach Travis Green provided an update on Zub that he knows he will be ready to return to the lineup when he starts skating with the whole team. Zub was skating on his own, but not with the team. Today, Zub made big progress with being on the ice for the entire practice.
Green also added it was not the for Pinto to stay for the entire practice, but also said Zub will play sooner rather than later.
Travis Green says Zub will play again sooner rather than later.
— TSN 1200 Ottawa (@TSN1200) November 4, 2024
Pinto didn't leave practice early. It was not the intention for him to stay the entire practice.
The Senators are missing Zub's defense and need him to return to the lineup. However, both Tyler Kleven and Jacob Bernard-Docker have played exceptionally well without Zub in the lineup.
Without Pinto in the lineup, Adam Gaudette has been a big surprise with scoring six goals and the rest of the Senators offense played well in October without Pinto.