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Linus Ullmark, Ottawa Senators (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)

Senators News & Rumours: Ullmark, Greig, Pinto & Sanderson

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By The Old Prof | Last updated Apr 4, 2025 1:30 PM ET

The Ottawa Senators survived to win a gritty 2-1 game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on home ice at Canadian Tire Centre on Thursday night. The win snapped the Lightning’s four-game win streak and kept Ottawa’s playoff hopes alive. Once again, a standout game from Linus Ullmark was the backbone of the team’s win.

However, the Senators also got crucial contributions from growing youngsters Ridly Greig, Shane Pinto, and Jake Sanderson. It was a tight one, but Ottawa held on. This victory helped maintain the Senators’ momentum as they try to solidify their wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Goalie Linus Ullmark Has Become The Steadiness Behind Ottawa’s Success

Ullmark continues to be a key figure in Ottawa’s playoff hopes. In Thursday’s win, he stopped 30 shots, including clutch saves on a 2-on-1 rush against Anthony Cirelli and a short-handed breakaway against Brandon Hagel. His calmness and ability to step up contributed to the victory. As forward Shane Pinto shared, “If we don’t have him there, we don’t win that game.”

Since early March, Ullmark has put up a 10-3-1 record with a .904 save percentage. It took him a few games to shake the rust when he returned from a recent injury, but he’s peaking at the right time. With 22 wins in his first season in Ottawa, Ullmark has already set a franchise milestone. His play will remain crucial to the Senators’ success as they approach the postseason.

Ridly Greig Was a Playmaking Force in Ottawa’s Win

Last night, Ridly Greig continued to show he could become a key playmaker and a physical presence for his team. He registered two assists: one on Pinto’s opening goal and another on Jake Sanderson’s power-play score.

Greig has set a new career-high with 30 points in 72 games, including nine in the last 13 games. However, he’s also grown into a physical presence with 131 hits and 46 blocked shots. For all his solid growth as a young player, his plus-minus rating has dipped to minus-13 this season. Last season, he put up a plus-10 rating.

Ridly Greig, Ottawa Senators (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

The lower rating suggests that the coaches trust him more and give him more challenging assignments, all part of Greig’s development. The fact is that he’s morphing into a more essential part of Ottawa’s lineup. Greig’s combination of offensive skill, grit, and two-way play will be crucial in their playoff push.

Shane Pinto’s Goal Got the Senators Started

Shane Pinto’s goal against the Lightning was a quick wrist shot from the slot. It was his first goal in 10 games. Despite a scoring drought, his play lifts the team. Ottawa is 21-1-1 when Pinto registers at least one point.

He has grown into a solid bottom-six forward, able to contribute on offense and defense. In the end, he might not put up many points. However, his on-ice impact is undeniable. Pinto’s reliable two-way play has made him a key part of Ottawa’s forward depth. Like Grieg, his continued growth is a boost to the team’s playoff hopes.

Jake Sanderson Has Become Ottawa’s Rising Star on Defense

Jake Sanderson’s growth into a top-tier defenseman remains a significant storyline. He scored a power-play goal to give Ottawa a 2-0 advantage and stood as the game-winner. This was his 10th goal of the season, making him the fifth defenseman in franchise history to record back-to-back 10-goal seasons. With that mark, he joins Senators’ blue-liners Erik Karlsson, Wade Redden, Zdeno Chara, and Steve Duchesne.

Jake Sanderson, Ottawa Senators (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

Sanderson has registered 41 assists, including 27 points on the power play. His ability to help his team’s offense with the man advantage makes him a valuable asset on the blue line. Sanderson’s all-around game continues to improve, and he seems ready to become a key piece of the Senators’ defense for the future.

What’s Next for the Senators?

The 2-1 win over the Lightning helped the Senators (now 40-29-6) solidify their hold on the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. They now have a five-point lead over the Montreal Canadiens. This win was even more critical because captain Brady Tkachuk remains sidelined with an upper-body injury.

As this post has hinted, the Senators’ lineup is witnessing the growth of several youngsters into maturity at just the right time. In last night’s win, strong games from Ullmark, Pinto, Greig, and Sanderson helped the Senators hold their own against a formidable opponent who came into the game on a hot streak.

Ottawa’s playoff aspirations remain within reach, but the team must continue playing tough hockey to build confidence and capitalize on the momentum from these wins. The Senators have shown they can beat the best teams, even without their captain. Should these young players continue to step up and play at a high level, Ottawa could be ready for a deep postseason run. Stranger things have happened.