Loose Pucks
Shane Pinto is the first Senator in franchise history to begin a season with back-to-back multi-goal games. Despite skating just 9:07 minutes on Saturday (the second lowest on the team, ahead of Kurtis MacDermid), Pinto scored twice and had two other breakaway chances, neither of which he was able to convert.
Drake Batherson does not anticipate playing against Nashville. Batherson told media after taking part in an optional practice Sunday that returning for Wednesday’s trip to Buffalo is the goal.
“I don’t know about [Monday], but aiming for Wednesday, definitely,” said Batherson. “It’s weird — the first time I’ve missed games in three-and-a-half years. It’s a little awkward, I’m not too sure how to get to the press box and stuff like that,” the seven-year veteran joked.
As the second longest tenured Senator, Batherson spoke about the team’s excitement for the home opener. “It’s really awesome,” said the winger.
“You talk all summer, you get excited for the season. Especially the way it ended off last year, with how awesome our crowd was in playoffs, it was unbelievable. So just being around town before training camp, you can see how excited people and fans are for the season, so I’m expecting it will be the same as years past. Lots of energy, and you know, that’s what we feed off.”
The Senators currently sit at 22 players on their active roster, one under the maximum 23. Both Batherson and Kleven are currently on the team’s injured reserve, meaning a corresponding move would have to be made if both were activated.
