As the Ottawa Senators head to Scotiabank Arena to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight at 7 p.m. ET, the Senators have missed one player in their lineup that gives an extra offensive boost.
Shane Pinto has not played in the Senators lineup since Oct. 22. Pinto has missed the past eight games due to an undisclosed injury. Over the eight-game stretch without Pinto, the Senators went 3-5-0.
As the Senators conclude their two-game road trip, the Senators received huge news on Pinto yesterday after their morning skate that excited the team and fans.
Pinto will return to the lineup; Senators need his offensive talent back
TSN 1200 Ottawa confirmed after the Senators' morning skate yesterday that Pinto is ready to return to the lineup. To add a fun twist to his return, Pinto is returning to the lineup as he turns 24 years old today.
Pinto says he's ready to go for tomorrow in Toronto.
— TSN 1200 Ottawa (@TSN1200) November 11, 2024
Pinto's return to the lineup has come at a big time. The Senators have started November slow with a 2-3-0 record, and the offense hasn't been as big as it was before November started.
The Senators went from scoring 25 goals in the final five games of October to scoring just 10 goals in the first five games of November. Although Pinto has only three points this season, he still is more than capable of showing his full potential.
Pinto recorded 20 goals in his true rookie season in 2022-23. Last season after serving a 41-game suspension, Pinto impressed the Senators by recording 27 points.
Pinto started this season strong after scoring the game-winning goal in the season opener, and was destined to show he was in for a big season. With missing the past eight games, Pinto hasn't been able to show his true potential, but now is able to with returning to the lineup. Returning to the lineup also in the Battle of Ontario will add more fuel to the fire for Pinto.