It looks the Stefan Matteau won't be returning to the QMJHL after all - at least for now.

The 18-year-old forward, who was drafted 29th overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, will burn the first year of his entry-level deal by playing his 6th NHL game tonight. Matteau is expected to skate on the top line with Travis Zajac and Ilya Kovalchuk.

Matteau has zero points in five NHL games thus far. He'll skate in place of Dainius Zubrus, who is out with an upper-body injury, tonight.

Matteau can still be assigned to Albany or back to the BLB Armada of the QMJHL, though once he plays tonight a year will be used up on his entry-level deal.

Game preview will be up later.

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