Pinto paces Senators to overtime win over Maple Leafs

Shane Pinto scored a power-play goal with two minutes left in the third period to tie the game, then scored 16 seconds into overtime to win it as the visiting Ottawa Senators rallied to edge the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 in NHL pre-season action at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday.

Auston Matthews and Bobby McMann, on the power play, scored first-period goals for the Leafs, who won Sunday’s first pre-season game 4-3 at Canadian Tire Centre.

Fabian Zetterlund started the Senators’ comeback with a short-handed goal at 7:33 of the third period, setting up Pinto’s late heroics.

Zetterlund is one of the player who has stood out after the last two games. Last season, Zetterlund struggled and scored just two goals after being acquired at the trade deadline. His hulking strength, compete and shot suggest the production should go up, although he has never shown to be adept at playmaking.

Tuesday’s goal was a good start, and if it continues, Zetterlund will be another weapon for the Senators on offence.

Dylan Cozens has been good in his first camp with the Senators, including against the Maple Leafs. Cozens provides elite puck carrying and a thumping shot, but his consistency and defensive proficiency have been questioned in the past. The Senators need the full package if they are to vault into contention.

Cozens started the odd-man rush that led to Zetterlund’s shorthanded goal on Tuesday. But he also showed flaws when he lost Matthews, of all people, in the slot in his own end, which led to a goal.

Pinto might have the most on the line of any Senators player this season, as he enters the final year of his contract.

The 25-year-old, has looked better than ever in camp and dazzled with two late goals in his first pre-season game. He is the ultimate jack-of-all-trades forward with his ability to shut down the opponent’s best players and his lethal shot that has produced two 20-goal seasons.

The Senators outshot the Leafs 41-33, including 17-8 in the third period.

Ottawa netminder Leevi Merilainen stopped 23 of 25 shots in 40 minutes, while Hunter Shepard stopped all eight shots he faced in relief.

Toronto netminder Dennis Hildeby stopped all 23 shots he faced in the first 40 minutes, while Artur Akhtyamov stopped 15 of 18 shots in relief.

The Senators went 1-for-3 on the power play, while the Leafs were 1-for-5.