Help coming for Senators? Kleven could return in Game 3 against Hurricanes

Defenceman Tyler Kleven on the ice during the Senators' optional skate on Wednesday. Photo by TONY CALDWELL /POSTMEDIA

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Travis Green could be ready to shuffle his deck.

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The Ottawa Senators head coach is studying possible lineup changes for Game 3 of the National Hockey League club’s first-round playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night at the Canadian Tire Centre.

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While it would appear the Senators could be ready to welcome Tyler Kleven back from a broken jaw in an April 2 regular-season contest against the Buffalo Sabres, other moves may also be made to give them a jolt.

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All options are on the table with the club down 2-0 to the Hurricanes and facing must-win situations in the next two games of the best-of-seven Stanley Cup series.

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Kleven was a full participant in an optional skate on Wednesday. He shed the non-contact jersey on Monday, which meant he was closing in on a return and would just need medical clearance to play.

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He wasn’t made available to speak to the media Wednesday, so we can’t tell you firsthand how Kleven is feeling. That’s not unusual at this time of year, especially when lineup decisions are state secrets.

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“He’s getting closer,” Green said.

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Do you expect to see him tomorrow night?

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“I’m not sure yet,” Green said.

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You have to wonder if this might be the time for rookie defenceman Carter Yakemchuk, called up from Belleville of the American Hockey League on the weekend, to enter the series against the Hurricanes. The Senators’ power play is 0-for-7 through the first two games and has had a tough time creating chances.

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Lassi Thomson only played 13 minutes in his playoff debut on Monday in Raleigh, and those are minutes that Yakemchuk could handle, so nothing should be ruled out. Yakemchuk participated in the optional skate on Wednesday.

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Getting Kleven back would also bring a much-needed physical presence to the blueline. Who comes out? The choice is between Dennis Gilbert and Thomson, who are in the lineup because of injuries to Kleven and Artem Zub.

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It’s highly doubtful that Zub will play. He was injured in Game 1 after hitting Carolina’s Seth Jarvis and hasn’t been seen since. Zub was supposed to be a game-time decision for Game 2 on Monday, but didn’t take part in that day’s morning skate or Wednesday’s optional skate.

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Green didn’t rule out Zub’s return later in this series, but he’d have to be able to skate in practice first before that could happen.

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Ottawa Senators defenceman Tyler Kleven wears full race protection during optional practice on Wednesday. Photo by TONY CALDWELL /POSTMEDIA

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For now, the Senators would just be happy to get Kleven back.

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“It’d be great for us,” Green said. “He’s a good player, smart, big body, physical and skates well. He’s a big part of our D corps and has been all year. Whenever we get him back, it will be big for our team.”

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With the injuries, the Senators have been forced to tax their top blueliners with big minutes. In the double-OT loss in Game 2, Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot both eclipsed the 40-minute mark. Neither is going to complain about playing that much, but that could also hurt them if this series goes long.