Even without Drake Batherson in the lineup tomorrow night, the Ottawa Senators will officially kick off their 2025-26 regular season against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Benchmark International Arena at 7 p.m. ET.
Last season, the Senators had the tables turn with making the playoffs for the first time in eight years. With making the playoffs last season, higher expectations will be on the Senators this season.
Every year, odds will be placed on all 32 teams to win the Stanley Cup. Now, the Senators have their odds for the 2026 Stanley Cup.
Sens' odds on Draft Kings revealed
Today, Lyle Fitzsimmons of Bleacher Report wrote an article titled "Every NHL Team's Championship Odds at the Start of the 2025-26 Season." Fitzsimmons included every team's odds from Draft Kings, and a tier to include the teams.
For the Senators, they have the 12th best odds at +3000 and are in the dark horse tier according to Fitzsimmons.
"A few rungs above the equally optimistic and future-focused Canadiens, the Senators gave Toronto a playoff push last spring and seem ready to stay relevant," Fitzsimmons said about the Senators.
For a team that had very little playoff experience last season, the Senators gave the Toronto Maple Leafs a tough six-game series in the first round of the 2025 playoffs.
Now with getting playoff experience and losing to a hated rival in the 2025 playoffs, it can be used as extra motivation for the Senators to be better this season. One thing is for sure, the Senators have a talented roster to be a dark horse led by captain Brady Tkachuk.
Along with Tkachuk, the Senators roster consists of core players named Thomas Chabot, Drake Batherson, Tim Stutzle, Jake Sanderson, Ridly Greig and Tyler Kleven.
Fabian Zetterlund and Dylan Cozens are eager for a big year in their first full season as a Senator after being acquired at the trade deadline. Defenseman Jordan Spence has a fresh start after being traded to the Senators by the Los Angeles Kings at the 2025 NHL Draft. Spence had a career year last season with the Kings in 2024-25.
Along with core players, the team consist of solid veteran players with Claude Giroux, Lars Eller, Nick Cousins and Nick Jensen. Linus Ullmark and Leevi Merilainen will be eager to become one of the best goaltending duos in the NHL.
Last season, the Senators finished with 97 points and the first Wild Card seed. With an Atlantic Division wide open in 2026, there's reason to believe the Senators can exceed expectations in 2025-26.