Nikolas Matinpalo — Stats & Advanced Analytics
Nikolas Matinpalo is an NHL defenseman for the Ottawa Senators.
2026-27 So Far
Through Nov 4, Nikolas Matinpalo has 3 points (0 goals, 3 assists) in 14 games, a 18-point pace over 84 games. He is 14th on the Ottawa Senators in scoring. All 3 came at even strength. He is averaging 15:19 of ice time a game.
Scouting Report
Nikolas Matinpalo is an undrafted defenseman early in his NHL career, deployed in third-pair or depth minutes. His overall impact is limited, reflecting a role primarily focused on defensive responsibilities rather than driving play.
Matinpalo offers minimal offensive contributions from the blue line and is not often found blocking shots. He also struggles to create quality scoring opportunities, which further restricts his offensive presence.
Player Profile
| Position | Defenseman |
|---|---|
| Team | Ottawa Senators |
| Shoots / Catches | R |
| Height | 6'3" |
| Weight | 213 lb |
| Born | October 5, 1998 (age 28) in Espoo, Finland |
2026-27 Season Stats
| GP | G | A | P | +/- | PIM | Shots | S% | TOI/GP | CF% | xG | Game Score | GAR | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 0 | 3 | 3 | +4 | 10 | 11 | 0.0% | 15:19 | 45.4% | 0.3 | 0.2 | -1.3 | -0.24 |
GAR Component Breakdown
| Even-Strength Offense | Even-Strength Defense | Power-Play Offense | Shorthanded Defense |
|---|---|---|---|
| -0.0 | +0.1 | +0.0 | -0.0 |
League percentile rank: points 37th (100th = league leader).
2026-27 Scoring by Situation
| Situation | G | A | P |
|---|---|---|---|
| Even Strength | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Power Play | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Shorthanded | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Shooting & Rate Stats
| TOI/GP | Shots | S% | Primary A | Secondary A | P/GP | xG | GAR/60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15:19 | 11 | 0.0% | 1 | 2 | 0.21 | 0.3 | 0.11 |
Career by Season (Regular Season)
| Season | GP | G | A | P | GAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 3 | -1.3 |
| 2025-26 | 50 | 0 | 5 | 5 | -1.4 |
| 2024-25 | 41 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -0.6 |
| 2023-24 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.3 |
Analysis
In the 2026-27 season Nikolas Matinpalo has been worth -1.3 Goals Above Replacement.
His value is driven primarily by even-strength defense (+0.1 GAR), with even-strength offense his smallest contribution (-0).
Across 4 tracked seasons his GAR peaked at 0.3 in 2023-24.
All figures are model outputs from Hockey Alchemy. Learn how the value metrics are built on the methodology page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nikolas Matinpalo's GAR this season?
Nikolas Matinpalo has been worth -1.3 Goals Above Replacement (GAR) in the 2026-27 season.
What is Nikolas Matinpalo's WAR this season?
Nikolas Matinpalo has been worth about -0.2 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) in the 2026-27 season. WAR converts GAR to wins at roughly 5.57 goals per win.
How many points does Nikolas Matinpalo have this season?
Nikolas Matinpalo has 0 goals and 3 assists for 3 points in 14 games this season.
Is Nikolas Matinpalo a good defenseman?
Nikolas Matinpalo ranks by total value among NHL skaters by GAR (-1.3) in the 2026-27 season.
What is Nikolas Matinpalo's career GAR?
Across 4 NHL seasons tracked by Hockey Alchemy, Nikolas Matinpalo has accumulated -3.0 career GAR and 12 points.
How tall is Nikolas Matinpalo, and how much does he weigh?
Nikolas Matinpalo is 6'3" tall and weighs 213 lb. Born October 5, 1998 (age 28) in Espoo, Finland.
How does Nikolas Matinpalo score across situations in 2026-27?
Nikolas Matinpalo has 3 even-strength points, 0 on the power play, and 0 shorthanded in 2026-27.
What is Nikolas Matinpalo's shooting percentage in 2026-27?
Nikolas Matinpalo has scored on 0.0% of 11 shots in 2026-27.