OTTAWA, ON – Shane Pinto capped off the NHL pre-season with a hat trick, leading the Ottawa Senators to a 4-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night.
It was the final exhibition game for both teams with Ottawa finishing with a 5-1-1 record, while Montreal was 2-4.
Michael Amadio also scored for the Senators, while Linus Ullmark looked solid stopping 23 shots.
Christian Dvorak and Arber Xhekaj scored for the Canadiens. Sam Montembeault made 15 saves.
Trailing 4-1, and struggling to beat Ullmark, Xhekaj found a way with a shot from the point midway through the third.
After a solid first Pinto continued to lead the way for the Senators in the second chipping in with a goal and an assist to give Ottawa a 4-1 lead.
Just 22 seconds into the period, Amadio tipped in an Artem Zub shot. Four minutes later, Pinto forced a turnover on the Montreal power play and scored on a breakaway, beating Montembeault with a backhand.
The Senators took a 2-1 lead in the first period after Pinto scored a pair of goals.
Pinto opened the scoring just 44 seconds into the game when he picked up a Noah Gregor rebound.
Ottawa, with a two-man advantage, made it 2-0 at 5:57 after Pinto tipped a Jake Sanderson shot past Montembeault.
Montreal cut the lead in half late in the period after a battle for the puck behind the net led to a bouncing puck in front and Dvorak was able to put it past Ullmark.
OTTAWA, ON – OCTOBER 05: Montreal Canadiens Goalie Sam Montembeault (35) stretches out as Ottawa Senators Center Shane Pinto (12) puts the puck around him for a goal during first period National Hockey League preseason action between the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators on October 5, 2024, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – OCTOBER 05: Montreal Canadiens Defenceman Arber Xhekaj (72) and Ottawa Senators Right Wing Zack MacEwen (17) fight during first period National Hockey League preseason action between the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators on October 5, 2024, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – OCTOBER 05: Montreal Canadiens Defenceman Justin Barron (52) talks to Linesmen Steve Barton (59) after first period National Hockey League preseason action between the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators on October 5, 2024, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – OCTOBER 05: Ottawa Senators Goalie Linus Ullmark (35) makes a save during second period National Hockey League preseason action between the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators on October 5, 2024, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – OCTOBER 05: Montreal Canadiens Center Oliver Kapanen (91) battles Ottawa Senators Center Josh Norris (9) on a face-off during second period National Hockey League preseason action between the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators on October 5, 2024, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – OCTOBER 05: Ottawa Senators Goalie Linus Ullmark (35) keeps eyes on the play during second period National Hockey League preseason action between the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators on October 5, 2024, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – OCTOBER 05: Montreal Canadiens Center Christian Dvorak (28) awaits the shot on Ottawa Senators Goalie Linus Ullmark (35) during second period National Hockey League preseason action between the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators on October 5, 2024, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – OCTOBER 05: Ottawa Senators Right Wing Zack MacEwen (17) battles between Montreal Canadiens Defenceman William Trudeau (84) and Goalie Sam Montembeault (35) during third period National Hockey League preseason action between the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators on October 5, 2024, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – OCTOBER 05: Montreal Canadiens Defenceman Kaiden Guhle (21) closes on the play during third period National Hockey League preseason action between the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators on October 5, 2024, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – OCTOBER 05: Ottawa Senators Center Nick Cousins (21) battles Montreal Canadiens Defenceman Justin Barron (52) during third period National Hockey League preseason action between the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators on October 5, 2024, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
