In the first three games of the 2025-26 season for the Ottawa Senators, a key player was missing. Drake Batherson wasn't in the lineup due to an upper-body injury, and went on IR days before the season opener.
The wait will be over for Batherson and the Senators. For tomorrow night's game against the Buffalo Sabres, Batherson will return to the lineup. Batherson's return to the lineup will be pivotal after the past two games.
After defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-4 in the season opener, the Senators' offense has taken a drop. The Senators have scored three goals over the past two games combined. Yesterday, the Senators fell 4-1 to the Nashville Predators in the home opener.
Batherson recorded a career year last season with recording 42 assists and 68 points to set two new career highs. Since the 2022-23 season, Batherson has turned into one of the most underrated players in the NHL with recording three consecutive 60-point seasons, and has a salary under $5 million per year.
Batherson's return is huge after Brady Tkachuk was injured in yesterday's game after being cross-checked by Predators defenseman Roman Josi.