Chris Kelly will play in Game 3 tonight as the Senators look to limit the space given to Vincent Lecavalier and his Lightning teammates. Photo: A. Ringuette/Freestyle Photography/OSHC

by Todd Anderson

Tonight the Ottawa Senators will look to take away the open space they have been awarding the Tampa Bay Lightning so far in their Stanley Cup quarter-final series.

"That is the biggest problem we've had," said Senators head coach Bryan Murray this morning after the pre-game skate. "I just had 17 (video) clips this morning for the guys and the majority is us giving up space and (Tampa Bay) taking advantage of it."

In order to close the gaps, Murray expects to see more of a determined effort from his team.

"Everybody tells us we're a pretty good hockey team. We try to play like a pretty good hockey team instead of playing like a team that has to have a hard work ethic and has to play tougher and more assertive."

Speedy forward Antoine Vermette expects his team will rebound on the road in Tampa.

"It's always nice to play in front of our fans but it's good to keep going after a tough loss (on Sunday). It's tough to come to the rink after a loss, but I can't remember a team going through with 16 straight wins. This is a process."

Wade Redden returns tonight and will add a spark to the team from the blue-line according to Murray.

"We didn't move the puck out of our own end (in Game 2) and that was a tribute to the way the Lightning played against our D. Wade will provide confidence in that area."

The Senators will also have forward Chris Kelly in the lineup tonight as he has been cleared to play after suffering an upper body injury in Game 2. He was scheduled to land in Tampa around 4:30 p.m. this afternoon.