Injuries allow Ottawa Senators defenceman Nikolas Matinpalo his big break It was baptism by fire for Ottawa Senators [https://puckpedia.com/team/ottawa-senators] defenceman Donovan Sebrango [https://puckpedia.com/player/donovan-sebrango] on Thursday night. Sebrango made his NHL debut, jumping right into the heat of the NHL Eastern playoff chase. Not only did it happen in his hometown, with family and friends cheering him on, it was against Alex Ovechkin [https://puckpedia.com/player/alex-ovechkin] and the league-leading Washington Capitals [https://puckpedia.com/team/washington-capitals]. "I mean, this is what I've dreamt of as a kid in my hometown," Sebrango told Senators.com at the morning skate. "It hasn't really sunk in yet, but I’m sure it will once I step on the ice. This is what I’ve worked my whole life for. So, it’s a great moment to experience with my family and teammates tonight, but I’m just excited." With Thomas Chabot [https://puckpedia.com/player/thomas-chabot] out with a facial injury, Sebrango took the veteran's spot on the roster. Chabot is the third defenceman sidelined by injury, joining Jacob Bernard-Docker [https://puckpedia.com/player/jacob-bernard-docker] and Travis Hamonic [https://puckpedia.com/player/travis-hamonic], though Chabot won’t be out long. Sebrango skated with Nikolas Matinpalo on the third pairing and got 11:38 in ice time. With Ottawa falling to the Capitals, 1-0 in overtime, Sebrango didn't make any mistakes – at least not the glaring kind that ends up with a goal against. Sebrango was acquired in 2023 from the Detroit Red Wings [https://puckpedia.com/team/detroit-red-wings], as part of the package deal that sent Alex DeBrincat [https://puckpedia.com/player/alex-debrincat] back to his hometown team. He had a strong junior career with the Kitchener Rangers, which included a spot on Team Canada's 2022 World Junior team. In 2024-25, Sebrango has 13 points in 28 AHL games with the Belleville Senators. He was with the big club earlier this season, getting into some practices on a Western road trip but didn’t see any action. While most coaches in any team sport will tell you that the worst part of their job is having to tell players they’re cut or no longer on the team, one of the best parts is telling players their dream is about to come true. "It’s exciting," head coach Travis Green said in Thursday's media availability. "Any time a young player gets to play his first NHL game, as a coach, you enjoy telling him. He’s had to work hard his whole life to get there." As he took the rookie lap to start warmups, after four and a half years in the minors, he couldn't help but think of his mom. "I mean, a single mom kind of having to teach me the ways of hockey and bringing me into this sport, that lap tonight was for her," Sebrango said. "Everything tonight was for her." *This story was updated from an earlier version -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjEyMTY3NzI0ODQxODM4MjA4/follow-google-news-1.png] Stay updated with the most interesting Ottawa Senators stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Add us to your favorites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwqODfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen]to never miss a story. Be sure to check out our fan forum, The Senators Roundtable [https://rtb.thehockeynews.com/ottawa-senators], and read more articles like the ones below at The Hockey News Ottawa [http://thn.com/ottawa]:
