Senators’ Tyler Kleven to return after nine-game absence

Some reinforcements are returning to the Ottawa Senators lineup for a crucial playoff game.

When speaking to the media, Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven revealed that he will be in the lineup for Game 3 of the Metropolitan Division Semifinals against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night.

Kleven has missed the Senators’ last nine games, dating back to the regular season, along with the first two games of the postseason. He was seen wearing a bubble during the morning skate on Thursday. The 24-year-old was seen on the fourth pair during line rushes with fellow blueliner Cameron Crotty, signaling that Kleven would be the seventh defenseman in the lineup as the series shifts to Kanata for the first time.

In Kleven’s absence in the final weeks of the regular season, Ottawa posted a record of 5-1-1, securing the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. The team battled hard in the first two games against the Hurricanes in Raleigh, but came up empty-handed. The Sens were shut out in Game 1, before losing in heartbreaking fashion two days later, falling in double overtime.

The Fargo, N.D. native brings some size and toughness to the lineup that could match some of Carolina’s grit as Ottawa looks to get back in the series.

Kleven appeared in 70 games during the regular season, scoring three goals, along with setting career highs in assists (15) and points (18). He posted a plus/minus of +2 while averaging 17:21 of ice time. He played in all six games during last year’s first-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs, registering a pair of assists.

Ottawa is hoping it doesn’t suffer the same fate as it did last season against Toronto, as the team fell behind 3-0. The Sens tried to make things interesting, but ultimately were eliminated b the Leafs in six games.

Puck drop of Game 3 between the Sens and Canes is set for a little after 7:30 p.m. ET.