PITTSBURGH — In a decisive performance on Saturday, Shane Pinto netted two goals on special teams, leading the Ottawa Senators to a resounding 5-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The game saw Leevi Merilainen make 30 saves, marking a strong outing for the Senators, who secured their second win in the last eight contests.

Pinto opened the scoring for Ottawa with a power-play goal just over five minutes into the match. Before the first period concluded, he added a short-handed goal, extending the Senators’ lead. Other contributors for Ottawa included Tyler Kleven, Drake Batherson, and Tim Stutzle, all of whom found the back of the net. Claude Giroux, demonstrating his playmaking ability, tallied three assists, helping Ottawa to their sixth consecutive win against Pittsburgh.

Penguins’ goaltender Alex Nedeljokvic was replaced midway through the second period, having saved only 12 of 17 shots. Kleven initiated the scoring barrage with a powerful shot from the point at 3:16 into the first period, this being the tenth instance this season where Pittsburgh conceded a goal on their opponent’s opening shot. Mike Sullivan, the Penguins’ head coach, challenged the call on the ice, suggesting that Stutzle had impeded Nedeljokvic. However, the decision was upheld after review, and Pinto capitalized on the resulting power play with a precise one-timer.

Pinto subsequently scored a short-handed goal, the second allowed by the Penguins this season, breaking in on a 2-on-1 with Thomas Chabot and firing a wrist shot past Nedeljokvic, pushing the score to 3-0. The Penguins struggled to regain their footing, competing without center Evgeni Malkin for a third consecutive game due to an upper-body injury.

**Highlights of the Game**
Despite facing difficulties in recent weeks, the Senators managed to assert their dominance against Pittsburgh, with Merilainen achieving his first career shutout. The Penguins, coming off an impressive victory against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, stumbled with this uninspiring performance.

**Crucial Moment**
Pinto’s short-handed goal, scored with just 55 seconds remaining in the opening period, elicited dismay from a near-sellout crowd who were there to receive Jaromir Jagr bobbleheads.

**Statistical Insight**
The first period was marked by a total of 15 penalties, highlighting the intensity of the matchup.

**Looking Ahead**
Next on the schedule, the Senators will host the Dallas Stars on Sunday, while the Penguins are set to welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning.