Senators beat the Canadiens 5-2 to prevent Montreal from clinching a playoff spot Friday

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Ottawa Senators’ Jake Sanderson (85) congratulates goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) after they defeated the Montreal Canadiens in NHL hockey game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Friday, April 11, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Montreal Canadiens’ Alex Newhook (15) fires the puck wide of the net past Ottawa Senators’ goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) during third-period NHL hockey game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Friday, April 11, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Ottawa Senators’ Hayden Hodgson (42) collides with Montreal Canadiens’ Joel Armia (40) during second-period NHL hockey game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Friday, April 11, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP))

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Montreal Canadiens’ Nick Suzuki (14) tries to screen Ottawa Senators’ goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) as the puck sails wide of the net during second-period NHL hockey game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Friday, April 11, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Montreal Canadiens Jayden Struble (47) collides with Ottawa Senators Shane Pinto (12) during first-period NHL hockey game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Friday, April 11, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Montreal Canadiens’ Kaiden Guhle (21) collides with Ottawa Senators’ Hayden Hodgson (42) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Ottawa, Ontario, Friday April 11, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Ottawa Senators’ Tim Stützle (18) knocks the puck away from Montreal Canadiens’ Lane Hutson (48) as he skates across the blue line during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Ottawa, Ontario, Friday April 11, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Ottawa Senators’ Shane Pinto (12) congratulates teammate Ridly Greig (71) for his goal against the Montreal Canadiens during second-period NHL hockey game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Friday, April 11, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)

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OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Shane Pinto scored twice and the Ottawa Senators prevented Montreal from clinching a playoff spot Friday night, beating the Canadiens 5-2.

Ridly Greig had a goal and an assist, and Drake Batherson and Dylan Cozens also scored for playoff-bound Ottawa. Linus Ullmark made 20 saves.

Nick Suzuki and Christian Dvorak scored for Montreal, and Sam Montembeault stopped 28 shots.

The Canadiens hold the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. They needed a regulation win to wrap up a playoff spot Friday.

The Senators avoided a season sweep at the hands of the Canadiens, who were riding a six-game winning streak.

Takeaways

Senators: Got off to a solid start and didn’t let up.

Canadiens: Struggled to catch up after falling behind early.

Key moment

Ottawa held Montreal to just four shots in the third period.

Key stat

Jake Sanderson picked up his 100th career NHL assist with a helper on Ottawa’s third goal.

Up next

The Canadiens are at Toronto on Saturday night. The Senators host Philadelphia on Sunday.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl