Tyler Kleven set to return on defence for Senators in Game 3 against Hurricanes

The Ottawa Senators are preparing to take on the Carolina Hurricanes on home ice after falling 0-2 in the series. CTV’s Tyler Fleming reports.

The Senators are getting a key blue-line reinforcement.

Bruising defenceman Tyler Kleven will suit up Thursday with Ottawa down 2-0 to the Carolina Hurricanes in the teams’ first-round playoff series.

The 24-year-old spoke to the media following the morning skate for the first time since taking a puck to the face April 2 — an injury that cost him the final seven games of the regular schedule and two post-season contests.

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Kleven has now skated in a regular jersey at three straight on-ice sessions with extra protection around his jaw.

Head coach Travis Green added that Ottawa native Cameron Crotty will make his playoff debut on the back end. The 26-year-old has just eight games of NHL experience, including six with the Senators in 2025-26.

The club is still without top-pair option Artem Zub after he was hurt in the best-of-seven opener against Carolina. Fellow defencemen Dennis Gilbert and Lassi Thomson will also sit for Game 3.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 23, 2026.

Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press