Matinpalo replaces Ristolainen for Finland at 4 Nations

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen is unable to represent Finland at the 4 Nations Face-Off due to an upper-body injury, the national team announced Sunday.

Ottawa Senators rearguard Nikolas Matinpalo will replace him in the lineup.

Ristolainen missed the third period of Philadelphia's 2-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche last Sunday and was sidelined for the last three games. He was considered a game-time decision for the past two contests.

The 30-year-old has recorded two goals, 15 points, 83 hits, and 85 blocks in 54 outings so far this campaign. He's averaging 20:31 minutes of ice time per contest, his highest total under head coach John Tortorella.

Matinpalo, meanwhile, has appeared in 22 career NHL games, including 18 this season. He's logged eight hits and 10 blocks while seeing 12 minutes of playing time per game for the Senators in 2024-25.

The 26-year-old participated at the 2023 IIHF World Championship, chipping in with one goal and two assists in eight games as Finland finished seventh.

Ristolainen is the third Finnish defenseman who needed to be replaced due to injury. Henri Jokiharju and Urho Vaakanainen were added to the lineup in Miro Heiskanen's and Jani Hakanpaa's steads.

Only 11 Finnish blue-liners have played in the NHL this season. Winnipeg Jets rearguard Ville Heinola is the only one who wasn't named to the tournament's roster at some point.

The 4 Nations Face-Off kicks off on Wednesday.