Nikolas Matinpalo - NHL News & Rumors

Slides first assist of season Matinpalo notched an assist, two hits, two PIM and a plus-3 rating in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Panthers.

Impact This was Matinpalo's first point in eight games this season. The 28-year-old blueliner saw a larger role earlier in the campaign, but he'll likely remain in the bottom four as the Senators' defense gets healthier. Matinpalo can bring some physicality -- he has six hits and nine blocked shots already -- but his offense is likely to be limited in a depth role.

OCTOBER 22 • ROTOWIRE

Senators get off to a strong start despite being battered by injuries to key players

The Ottawa Senators have been ravaged by injuries to several key players, and yet they have won six of their first nine games

OCTOBER 19 • Associated Press

'Just Play my Game': Matinpalo Returns vs Flyers | Ottawa Senators The Sens wrap a stretch of 9 games in two weeks as they face the Flyers on Saturday as Nikolas Matinpalo returns to the lineup on the blueli...

OCTOBER 17 • NHL.COM

Nikolas Matinpalo Pregame Media vs PHI | Ottawa Senators Hear from defenceman Nikolas Matinpalo ahead of the Senators game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

OCTOBER 17 • NHL.COM

Nick Cousins, Nikolas Matinpalo, Travis Green Pregame Media vs PHI

OCTOBER 17 • YOUTUBE

Ready to rock Matinpalo (upper body) will play against Philadelphia on Saturday, Jackson Starr of the Senators' official site reports.

Impact Following a two-game absence, Matinpalo will replace Cameron Crotty in Saturday's lineup against the Flyers. The 28-year-old Matinpalo hasn't earned a point in six appearances this season, but he has contributed four shots on goal, eight blocked shots and four hits.

OCTOBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

No timeline for return Matinpalo (upper body) won't play against St. Louis on Tuesday, and there is no timeline for his return, Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports.

Impact Matinpalo suffered an upper-body injury in Monday's 4-1 win over New Jersey. He hasn't earned a point in six appearances this season, but he has posted four shots on net, eight blocked shots and four hits. Jorian Donovan will replace Matinpalo in Tuesday's lineup against the Blues.

OCTOBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Tim Stützle and the Senators beat the Devils 4-1 to keep their hot start going

Tim Stützle had a goal and an assist, Shane Pinto and Stephen Halliday scored and the Ottawa Senators beat the New Jersey Devils 4-1 on to keep their hot start going

OCTOBER 13 • Associated Press

Exits Monday's clash Matinpalo (upper body) will not return to Monday's road contest against New Jersey.

Impact Matinpalo left Monday's clash after taking a big hit from Anthony Mantha in the first period, which resulted in a five-minute major for boarding. The 28-year-old blueliner has a plus-2 rating, four PIM, four shots on goal, four hits and eight blocked shots across five appearances to begin the 2026-27 campaign. He'll likely undergo further testing before information regarding the extent of his injury is revealed. If he can't go in Tuesday's game, Jorian Donovan will likely step into the lineup.

OCTOBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Tim Stützle, Shane Pinto, Nikolas Matinpalo Pregame Media OTT @ TOR

SEPTEMBER 23 • YOUTUBE

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

SEPTEMBER 23 • NHL.COM

Nikolas Matinpalo Pregame Media vs CAR | Ottawa Senators Hear from defenceman Nikolas Matinpalo ahead of the Senators game against the Carolina Hurricanes in game two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

APRIL 20 • NHL.COM

Nikolas Matinpalo Pregame Media vs TOR | Ottawa Senators Hear from defenceman Nikolas Matinpalo ahead of the Senators game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Canadian Tire Centre.

APRIL 15 • NHL.COM

Lassi Thomson, Cameron Crotty, Nikolas Matinpalo, Travis Green Pregame Media vs TOR

APRIL 15 • YOUTUBE

Down to 4 defensemen, Senators hold the Rangers to the fewest shots by an NHL team since 2015

The Ottawa Senators held the New York Rangers to a record-low 10 shots on goal in a 2-1 win — even after losing two players left because of injury

MARCH 24 • Associated Press

First point since return Matinpalo logged an assist in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Islanders.

Impact Matinpalo has a career-high five points in 36 outings this season. The defenseman was a regular scratch before the Olympics and was injured representing Finland at the tournament, but he's taken on a steady role recent with the Senators down Jake Sanderson (upper body) and Nick Jensen (knee). Matinpalo won't score his way into fantasy relevance, though he's added 31 hits and 38 blocked shots this season to provide a bit of physicality.

MARCH 20 • ROTOWIRE

Ready to rock Matinpalo (undisclosed) is expected to play against Vancouver on Monday.

Impact Matinpalo sat out five straight games after playing for Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics. He has earned four assists, 19 shots on goal, 33 blocked shots and 27 hits in 30 appearances this season. Matinpalo will replace Jake Sanderson (upper body) in Monday's lineup against the Canucks.

MARCH 9 • ROTOWIRE

Not playing Saturday Matinpalo (undisclosed isn't expected to play against Seattle on Saturday

Impact Matinpalo has been practicing, but he will miss his fifth straight game. He had been serving as a healthy scratch before the Olympics, so he may not return to the lineup once he is healthy. Matinpalo has four assists, 19 shots on goal, 33 blocked shots and 27 hits across 30 appearances this season.

MARCH 7 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Thursday Matinpalo (undisclosed) will miss Thursday's game against Calgary, per the NHL media site.

Impact Matinpalo has four assists in 30 appearances in 2025-26. Even when Matinpalo is ready to return, he might not draw into the lineup.

MARCH 6 • ROTOWIRE

Still out Tuesday Matinpalo (undisclosed) won't play Tuesday versus the Oilers.

Impact Matinpalo's status hasn't been updated since the injury was announced coming out of the Olympics, where he represented Finland. Considering he was in a part-time role prior to the tournament, it's possible he won't immediately get back into the lineup once healthy. Matinpalo's next chance to play is Thursday in Calgary.

MARCH 4 • ROTOWIRE

Not available Saturday Matinpalo (undisclosed) has been ruled out of Saturday's tilt in Toronto, Julian McKenzie of The Athletic reports.

Impact The 27-year-old defenseman played for Finland at the recent Olympic Games, winning a bronze medal. Matinpalo sat out Thursday as well, and likely was injured during the Olympics. He has four assists, 27 hits and 33 blocked shots in 30 NHL games this season. Matinpalo could return as early as Tuesday when the Senators head to Edmonton.

FEBRUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Sens Today: Matinpalo Back After Collecting Bronze | Ottawa Senators Nikolas Matinpalo didn't return from Milan empty handed collecting a bronze medal at the Olympics. Jackson Starr breaks down the latest news...

FEBRUARY 25 • NHL.COM

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

FEBRUARY 25 • NHL.COM

Dealing with injury Matinpalo will not be available against the Red Wings on Thursday due to an undisclosed injury, Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports.

Impact Matinpalo has appeared in just two games of his last 19 on the NHL roster, so his absence for Thursday's contest is unlikely to significantly impact the Sens' lineup. In his 30 games this year, the Finnish blueliner has yet to find the back of the net, though he has managed four assists, 19 shots and 27 hits along the way.

FEBRUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Seeing little playing time Matinpalo was scratched for the 16th time in 18 games in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Hurricanes.

Impact That span is from the start of January. Matinpalo sat just once during December, but Jordan Spence has claimed a larger share of playing time since the calendar flipped to 2026. Matinpalo has earned four assists, 19 shots on net, 27 hits, 33 blocked shots and 10 PIM over 30 NHL outings this season. The 27-year-old defenseman could get an uptick in usage while representing Finland at the Olympics, though the national team has six other NHL-level blueliners on the roster as well.

FEBRUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

NIKOLAS MATINPALO NEWS

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Senators get off to a strong start despite being battered by injuries to key players

Tim Stützle and the Senators beat the Devils 4-1 to keep their hot start going

Down to 4 defensemen, Senators hold the Rangers to the fewest shots by an NHL team since 2015