NEW YORK – – Ottawa Senators center Shane Pintowho led all rookies with six goals in eight games (6-1-7) and topped the entire League with a 42.9 shooting percentage (6 G/14 S), has been named the NHL’s “Rookie of the Month” for October.
Pinto edged Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Logan Thompson (4-2-0, 1.69 GAA, .943 SV%, 2 SO), Seattle Kraken center Matty Beniers (4-4-8 in 10 GP), Minnesota Wild defenseman Calen Addison (0-7-7 in 9 GP), Columbus Blue Jackets center Kent Johnson (3-3-6 in 9 GP) and Winnipeg Jets center Cole Perfetti (3-3-6 in 9 GP) for the honor.
Pinto scored in five straight games from Oct. 15-24 (5-1-6) to set a franchise rookie record for longest goal streak and become the first rookie from any team with as long a run since eventual Calder Memorial Trophy winner Kirill Kaprizov from April 17-24, 2021 (6-0-6 in 5 GP w/ MIN). Two of Pinto’s five goals during his streak stood as game-winners: Oct. 20 vs. WSH and Oct. 24 vs. DAL.
Video: DAL@OTT: Pinto notches a goal in fifth straight game
Overall, Pinto averaged 0.75 goals per game during the month (6 G in 8 GP). Only one rookie since 1993-94 has posted a better such rate in the month of October: Elias Pettersson – Another Calder Trophy winner – who averaged 0.88 goals per game in October 2018 (7 G in 8 GP w/ VAN).
The 21-year-old Pinto, who was selected in the second round (32nd overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft, has collected 7-8-15 in 25 career NHL games. He is the first Senators player to earn “Rookie of the Month” honors since teammate Tim Stützle in February 2021.
Shane Pinto in October
Date, Opponent, G, A, P, Result
Oct. 13, at Buffalo, 0, 0, 0, 4-1 L
Oct. 15, at Toronto, 1, 0, 1, 3-2 L
Oct. 18, BOSTON, 1, 0, 1, 7-5 W
Oct. 20, WASHINGTON, 1, 0, 1, 5-2 W
Oct. 22, ARIZONA, 1, 1, 2, 6-2 W
Oct. 24, DALLAS, 1, 0, 1, 4-2 W
Oct. 27, MINNESOTA, 0, 0, 0, 4-2 L
Oct. 29, at Florida, 1, 0, 1, 5-3 L
Totals, 6, 1, 7, 4-4-0
.