Senators' Nikolas Matinpalo: Nabs assist in return
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Matinpalo posted an assist, two shots on goal and two blocked shots in Monday's 2-1 loss to the Kings.
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.
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Senators' Nikolas Matinpalo: Set to return Monday
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Matinpalo (undisclosed) is projected to return to the lineup against the Kings on Monday.
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.
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Senators' Nikolas Matinpalo: Won't play against San Jose
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Matinpalo (undisclosed) is not in the lineup for Saturday's road contest versus the Sharks.
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.
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Senators' Nikolas Matinpalo: Unable to return
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Matinpalo suffered an undisclosed injury in the third period Thursday and was unable to return, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports.
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.
Matinpalo signed a two-year, $1.75 million contract extension with the Senators on Monday.
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.
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Senators' Nikolas Matinpalo: Nets first career goal
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Matinpalo scored a goal, tallied three shots on net and dished out three hits in Sunday's 4-0 win over Columbus.
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-pairing role on Ottawa's blue line. His value in fantasy is limited, however, as he's averaging just 12:26 of ice time per game this season. It is best to look elsewhere for defensive options for the remainder of the fantasy playoffs.
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Senators' Nikolas Matinpalo: Garners rare helper
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Matinpalo notched an assist and two shots on goal in Thursday's 6-3 win over the Bruins.
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.
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Senators' Nikolas Matinpalo: Playing time could drop
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Matinpalo dressed as a seventh defenseman in Thursday's 5-1 loss to the Lightning.
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.
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Senators' Nikolas Matinpalo: Reassigned to AHL
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Matinpalo was returned to AHL Belleville on Friday.
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.
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Senators' Nikolas Matinpalo: Recalled from AHL
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Matinpalo was called up from AHL Belleville on Saturday.
The Senators continue a nine-game road trip with a matchup against Winnipeg on Saturday, and Matinpalo will likely be the seventh defenseman, barring any injuries. Matinpalo played in four games with Ottawa last season but didn't earn a point. He has been a healthy scratch in two contests at the NHL level this campaign.
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Senators' Nikolas Matinpalo: Sent back down
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Matinpalo was reassigned to AHL Belleville on Wednesday.
Matinpalo's demotion ahead of Wednesday's matchup with Anaheim is a bit 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 over 17 minor-league contests for Belleville.
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Senators' Nikolas Matinpalo: Dealing with illness
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Matinpalo is battling an illness Wednesday, per Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia.
The timing is particularly unfortunate for Matinpalo, who was recalled from AHL Belleville on Tuesday. Matinpalo wasn't guaranteed to draw into the lineup Thursday versus Detroit to begin with, but now it's possible that he'll end up not even being an option. He has two goals and six points in 17 outings with Belleville in 2024-25. The 26-year-old hasn't played in the NHL this campaign.
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Senators' Nikolas Matinpalo: Promoted from minors
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Matinpalo was elevated from AHL Belleville on Tuesday.
Matinpalo has been putting up decent numbers in the minors this season, registering two goals and four assists in 17 games for Belleville. The 26-year-old Finn will trade places with Donovan Sebrango, who was reassigned to the minors in a corresponding move. Even with his promotion, Matinpalo is far from a lock to suit up versus Detroit on Thursday.
Matinpalo signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Senators on Thursday.
Matinpalo was eligible to become a restricted free agent this summer after completing his previous one-year, two-way deal for the 2023-24 campaign. He had four goals and 14 points in 67 regular-season outings with AHL Belleville in 2023-24. Matinpalo also appeared in four contests with Ottawa, recording no points, two shots, four hits and two blocks in that span.
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Senators' Nikolas Matinpalo: Returned to AHL
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Matinpalo was reassigned to AHL Belleville on Friday.
Matinpalo was a healthy scratch Thursday in a 5-2 loss to the Canucks. He had played in the previous four games, managing two shots on goal, two blocked shots and two hits. He'll continue to top the list of potential call-ups if there are injuries to the Senators' defensive corps.
