Senators’ Nikolas Matinpalo leaves game with upper-body injury

A rough and early end to a game for an experienced blueliner.

On Monday night, Ottawa Senators defenseman Nikolas Matinpalo exited a game against the New Jersey Devils early with an upper-body injury.

Matinpalo was hurt around the halfway mark of the first period. When looking to win a puck battle in front of the Devils’ bench, the 28-year-old was run into the boards from behind by New Jersey forward Anthony Mantha. Matinpalo started losing his balance and went head-first into the boards.

A brief scrum ensued, with Mantha receiving a five-minute major penalty for boarding. While the Senators failed to cash in on the extended power play, Matinpalo would leave the game, with the Sens announcing that he wouldn’t return once the second period began. logged just 2:19 of ice time across four shifts.

Matinpalo had dressed for each of Ottawa’s first six games of the season, but he has yet to put his name on the scoresheet. The Espoo, Finland native has registered a plus/minus of +2 thus far, having averaging 17:45 of ice time per game heading into the week.

Matinpalo is in his second full season with the Senators, splitting time between Ottawa and its American Hockey League affiliate, the Belleville Senators, after coming to North America in 2023. Last season, he registered five assists in 50 appearances, with a -1 rating while averaging 15:38 of ice time. The rearguard also represented his country on the world stage, as Matinpalo scored a goal for Finland en route to a bronze medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

In 101 career regular-season games in the NHL, Matinpalo has posted a goal and nine points, having appeared in 10 Stanley Cup Playoff contests with the Sens.