Nikolas Matinpalo - NHL News & Rumors

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

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 NEWS

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

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