The Ottawa Senators' lineup will be missing a key piece for their Saturday night matchup against the St. Louis Blues at Canadian Tire Centre. Centre Shane Pinto has been ruled out after suffering a lower-body injury in the team's previous game.
Injury Details and Immediate Impact
Pinto, who serves as the club's third-line centre, was forced to leave Thursday's 4-2 loss to the New York Rangers in the first period. The injury occurred when he took a hit from Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad. Following an off-ice workout on Friday, head coach Travis Green confirmed Pinto would not be available to face the Blues, though he did not provide a specific timeline for recovery.
The Senators are sending Pinto for further testing to determine the full extent of the injury. His absence is a significant blow to the team's structure. Pinto logs important minutes in critical situations, including matchups against opponents' top lines, power play duty, and penalty killing.
A Significant Loss for the Senators' Lineup
Losing Pinto disrupts the Senators' depth down the middle. The 27-year-old from Franklin Square, New York, has been a productive contributor this season, recording 12 goals and 18 points in 27 games. His two-way play has made him an invaluable asset for Coach Green.
"He plays against the other team's top lines, so it doesn't get more important than that," Green stated. "He's a big part of our team." The timing is also unfortunate for Pinto personally, as he was in the midst of making a case for a spot on Team USA for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics.
Roster Decisions and Potential Call-Up
The injury situation is compounded by the fact that centre Lars Eller is also sidelined with an undisclosed ailment, missing the Rangers game. Stephen Halliday was recalled and saw limited ice time in that contest. With no timetable on Eller's return, the Senators have decisions to make.
Coach Green and President of Hockey Operations/General Manager Steve Staios are discussing the possibility of recalling a forward from their AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators. While Ridly Greig can shift to his natural centre position, a leading candidate for a call-up is winger Arthur Kaliyev.
Kaliyev, signed as an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, has been dominant in Belleville, posting 14 goals and 23 points in just 21 games this season. His offensive prowess has drawn significant praise from the coaching staff there, making him a logical choice to inject some scoring into the Ottawa lineup.
The Senators will need to adjust quickly as they prepare to host the St. Louis Blues without one of their most versatile and reliable forwards.