Senators sink Canadiens in pre-season finale

MONTREAL — The Ottawa Senators, hoping for a strong start to the NHL regular season next week, finished their pre-season schedule with a spirited 3-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday at the Bell Centre.

Shane Pinto, David Perron and Lars Eller scored, and netminder Linus Ullmark made 20 saves on 21 shots.

Cole Caufield scored at 15:36 of the third period for the Canadiens to make it 2-1, but Eller ended the Habs’ comeback bid with an empty-net goal with 44 seconds left in the contest.

Sam Montembeault stopped 25-of-28 shots.

The Senators were 0-for-2 on the power play, while the Canadiens went 0-for-3.

Montreal outhit Ottawa 32-19.