Senators rally past Nashville in shootout as Pinto caps comeback

Shane Pinto scored the shootout winner Saturday night as the Ottawa Senators rallied past the Nashville Predators 3-2, improving to 4-1 after trailing 2-0 after the first period.

The Senators trailed through most of the game after Nashville's Jonathan Marchessault and Ross Colton scored in the opening frame. Marchessault beat Linus Ullmark five-hole with a power-play goal set up by Steven Stamkos. Colton added to the lead by taking a pass in front and beating Ullmark high on the glove side.

Tim Stutzle cut Nashville's lead to 2-1 at 9:29 of the second period, one-timing a pass from Dylan Cozens past Matt Murray's blocker side. The Senators had a 54-second two-man advantage midway through the second period but couldn't convert, and outshot Nashville 10-4 in that frame. A stretch of 22 minutes 22 seconds without a shot—starting in the second period and extending into the third—nearly sank Ottawa's comeback bid.

Drake Batherson tied the game 2-2 with 1:23 remaining in regulation, the puck deflecting off his leg with Ullmark on the bench for the extra attacker. Both Batherson and Thomas Chabot had earlier shots hit the post.

Roman Josi had a breakaway attempt for Nashville in overtime but Ullmark stopped it. Stamkos took the final shot in the shootout and Ullmark denied him, setting up Pinto's winner. Ullmark made 16 saves for Ottawa; Matt Murray stopped 18 for Nashville. The Senators went 1-for-6 on the power play.

Andre Burakovsky made his Senators debut after missing the first four games due to injury. Nashville's Jayden Struble, acquired Friday from Montreal, and rookie Vitali Pinchuk made his NHL debut for the Predators.