Nikolas Matinpalo - NHL News & Rumors

Sens Today: Olympic Bound | Ottawa Senators Jake Sanderson and Nikolas Matinpalo are headed to Milan to represent Team USA and Team Finland. Jackson Starr breaks down the latest news s...

JANUARY 2 • NHL.COM

Nikolas Matinpalo Media Availability | Ottawa Senators Hear from defenceman Nikolas Matinpalo following the Senators optional morning skate at Canadian Tire Centre.

JANUARY 2 • NHL.COM

Adds rare helper Matinpalo logged an assist, three blocked shots and two PIM in Thursday's 4-0 win over the Penguins.

Impact Matinpalo had been held off the scoresheet for eight consecutive games. The 27-year-old has occupied a bottom-four role all season, and with the Senators often leaning on Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub for big minutes, Matinpalo's ice time has remained fairly low at an average of 15:02 per game. For the season, Matinpalo has produced five assists, 16 shots on net, 22 hits, 28 blocked shots and eight PIM over 24 outings.

DECEMBER 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Winnipeg Jets vs. Ottawa Senators - Game Highlights

DECEMBER 16, 2025 • YOUTUBE

Nikolas Matinpalo Media Availability | Ottawa Senators Hear from defenceman Nikolas Matinpalo following the Senators practice at Canadian Tire Centre.

DECEMBER 7, 2025 • NHL.COM

Nabs assist in return Matinpalo posted an assist, two shots on goal and two blocked shots in Monday's 2-1 loss to the Kings.

Impact Matinpalo missed one game due to an undisclosed injury. He returned with 15:02 of ice time Monday in a third-pairing role, so he appears to be good to go moving forward. He should have a steady place in the lineup as long as Thomas Chabot (upper body) is out. Matinpalo has three assists, 10 shots on net, 13 hits and 17 blocked shots in 13 appearances.

NOVEMBER 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Set to return Monday Matinpalo (undisclosed) is projected to return to the lineup against the Kings on Monday.

Impact Matinpalo missed Saturday's 3-2 win over San Jose after getting hurt in Thursday's 3-2 victory over Anaheim. He has chipped in two assists, eight shots on goal, 15 blocked shots and 12 hits in 12 appearances this season. Matinpalo will replace Thomas Chabot (upper body) in Monday's lineup versus the Kings.

NOVEMBER 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play against San Jose Matinpalo (undisclosed) is not in the lineup for Saturday's road contest versus the Sharks.

Impact Matinpalo was hurt during Thursday's game in Anaheim. While he won't be an option for Saturday's game, Ottawa will get Thomas Chabot, who missed the last three games as a result of an upper-body injury, back in the lineup. The Sens' next game is Monday in Los Angeles.

NOVEMBER 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Unable to return Matinpalo suffered an undisclosed injury in the third period Thursday and was unable to return, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports.

Impact Matinpalo was hit hard into the boards by the Ducks' Radko Gudas. There was no update after the game from head coach Travis Green. If Matinpalo is unable to play Saturday in San Jose, look for Lassi Thomson to enter the lineup.

NOVEMBER 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Secures first assist of 2025-26 Matinpalo notched an assist and two shots on goal in Tuesday's 7-3 loss to the Blackhawks.

Impact Matinpalo has played in five straight games after spending four contests from Oct 13-18 in the press box. For now, it looks like he has the advantage over Jordan Spence for last spot on the blue line. Matinpalo has one assist, five shots on net, 10 hits, seven blocked shots and a minus-3 rating over seven appearances. Spence offers more scoring upside and will likely draw in once head coach Travis Green wants to get more offense from the blue line, but Matinpalo seems likely to still get his fair share of games.

OCTOBER 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Connor Bedard scores 3 times as the Blackhawks knock off the Senators 7-3

Connor Bedard had three goals and an assist in his first career hat trick, and the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Ottawa Senators 7-3

OCTOBER 29, 2025 • Associated Press

Nikolas Matinpalo Pregame Media vs TOR | Ottawa Senators Hear from defenceman Nikolas Matinpalo ahead of tonight's preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2025 • NHL.COM

Inks two-year extension Matinpalo signed a two-year, $1.75 million contract extension with the Senators on Monday.

Impact After appearing in just four games with Ottawa during the 2023-24 campaign, Matinpalo made 41 appearances for the Senators this year, logging a goal, three assists, 29 blocked shots, 25 hits and 20 PIM while averaging 12:37 of ice time. He'll be under contract with the team for two more years and should have an opportunity to continue his development during that time.

MAY 5, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Nets first career goal Matinpalo scored a goal, tallied three shots on net and dished out three hits in Sunday's 4-0 win over Columbus.

Impact Matinpalo tallied his first career goal to give the Senators an early 2-0 lead. Sunday's tally was Matinpalo's second career point in 41 career games at the NHL level. He has recently held down a third-line role on Ottawa's blue line. His value in fantasy is limited, however, as he sees less than 15 minutes of ice time per game. It is best to look elsewhere for defensive options for the remainder of the fantasy playoffs.

APRIL 7, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Linus Ullmark, Adam Gaudette, Nikolas Matinpalo, Travis Green Postgame Media vs CBJ

APRIL 7, 2025 • YOUTUBE

Senators beat Blue Jackets 4-0 to move to brink of 1st playoff spot since 2017

Linus Ullmark made 30 saves for Ottawa’s second straight shutout and the Senators moved to the brink of their first playoff appearance since 2017, beating the Columbus Blue Jackets...

APRIL 7, 2025 • Associated Press

Garners rare helper Matinpalo notched an assist and two shots on goal in Thursday's 6-3 win over the Bruins.

Impact Matinpalo has played in 12 of 14 games since the start of February, but this was his first point of the season. The 26-year-old blueliner is holding down a third-pairing spot while Travis Hamonic (lower body) is out. Matinpalo's spot in the lineup is not secure -- Dennis Gilbert could be put in his place to add a bit more thump in a rivalry game. For the season, Matinpalo has 33 shots on net, 13 hits, 17 blocked shots, 12 PIM and an even plus-minus rating over 26 appearances. He offers too little in every area to be a good option for fantasy managers.

MARCH 14, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Nikolas Matinpalo Media - Feb. 19 | Ottawa Senators Hear from defenceman Nikolas Matinpalo following the Senators afternoon skate at the Canadian Tire Centre.

FEBRUARY 19, 2025 • NHL.COM

Playing time could drop Matinpalo dressed as a seventh defenseman in Thursday's 5-1 loss to the Lightning.

Impact Cap space is tight for the Senators as they deal with a rash of injuries to forwards. Matinpalo was available to play as a seventh defenseman, logging just 5:35 of ice time in Thursday's contest. The 26-year-old has yet to record a point in his NHL career, including coming up empty over 17 games this season. He's added 25 shots on net, 10 blocked shots, eight hits and a minus-1 rating. Matinpalo's role could be reduced further once the Senators get an injured forward back or when Jacob Bernard-Docker (ankle) is cleared to return on defense.

FEBRUARY 7, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Nikolas Matinpalo Pregame Media vs TBL | Ottawa Senators Hear from defenceman Nikolas Matinpalo ahead of the Senators game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena

FEBRUARY 4, 2025 • NHL.COM

Matthew Highmore, Nikolas Matinpalo, and Zack Ostapchuk Pregame Media vs TBL

FEBRUARY 4, 2025 • YOUTUBE

Brought up from AHL Matinpalo was summoned from AHL Belleville on Monday.

Impact Matinpalo logged 10:24 of ice time in a 3-1 win over Minnesota on Dec. 29 but could be a healthy scratch for Tuesday's game against Detroit if Nick Jensen (illness) is available to play. Ottawa needed an extra blueliner on the roster due to the absence of Travis Hamonic (lower body).

JANUARY 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Reassigned to AHL Matinpalo was returned to AHL Belleville on Friday.

Impact Matinpalo played one game during his recent callup, picking up a minor in 10:24 of action. Matinpalo had two goals and five assists in 23 AHL games before his recall.

JANUARY 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from AHL Matinpalo was called up from AHL Belleville on Saturday.

Impact The Senators are continuing their nine-game road trip and Matinpalo will likely be their seventh defenseman, barring any injuries. Matinpalo made his NHL last season, playing four games with nary a point for Ottawa. He has been a healthy scratch in both games he has been called up for this season.

DECEMBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sent back down Matinpalo was reassigned to AHL Belleville on Wednesday.

Impact Matinpalo's demotion ahead of Wednesday's matchup with Anaheim is a little surprising as it leaves the Senators without any extra defensive depth. The 26-year-old Finn has yet to get into an NHL game this season but has chipped in six points in 17 minor-league contests for Belleville.

DECEMBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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Connor Bedard scores 3 times as the Blackhawks knock off the Senators 7-3

Senators beat Blue Jackets 4-0 to move to brink of 1st playoff spot since 2017