At 26 years old, Ottawa Senators defenseman Nikolas Matinpalo has only played in 22 NHL games. After playing in four games last season, Matinpalo has played in 18 games this season.
After getting called up from Belleville in January, Matinpalo has been a steady player in the Senators lineup with injuries rattling the team. Although Matinpalo still has yet to record his first NHL point, the experience Matinpalo this season is helping him grow and mature more.
The 4 Nations Face-Off is starting this Wednesday between the countries of Canada, the United States, Sweden and Finland. Some countries have had serious injury issues as the event will begin in three days between Canada and Sweden. With the recent injuries to one country, Matinpalo will have a great chance to help get more experience playing with and against talented NHLers.
Matinpalo now will play for Finland in 4 Nations Face-Off
Finland has had injury issues with the defensemen on the roster. Today, Rasmus Ristolainen of the Philadelphia Flyers has now been ruled out with an injury and won't play in the 4 Nations Face-Off. With Ristolainen injured, it led to Matinpalo getting a roster spot for Finland for the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Congrats, Nikolas Matinpalo on being named to Team Finland 🇫🇮 for the Four Nations Face-Off 👏
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) February 9, 2025
📝: https://t.co/WqQWb64iYL pic.twitter.com/eb6fChcrbQ
Representing your country is a tremendous honor and Matinpalo now has the honor to represent Finland. However, this can help Matinpalo grow more and earn more playing time.
Matinpalo will be playing against the best of the best from the three other countries. Playing against some of the NHL's best can help Matinpalo get used to playing against top players in the NHL. With only 22 games played, this can be a huge help for Matinpalo.
What also will help Matinpalo grow and mature more is Finland has talented players on the roster that can influence him. Aleksander Barkov is the captain of the Florida Panthers. Roope Hintz and Esa Lindell are two important pieces on the Dallas Stars roster. Mikko Rantanen is a former Stanley Cup champion with the Colorado Avalanche and now plays with the Carolina Hurricanes. Rantanen plays alongside with Sebastian Aho, who is another electrifying player on Finland's roster.
Matinpalo now has the chance to take important experience playing for Finland in the 4 Nations Face-Off and take it back with him when the Senators return to play on Feb. 22. Finland's first game in the 4 Nations Face-Off is on Feb. 13 against the United States at 8 p.m. ET in Montreal.