Senators' Drake Batherson discusses recent offensive struggles: ‘You just got to turn the page'
OTTAWA — Drake Batherson and his teammates didn't have to think about the pressures of a playoff chase on Sunday afternoon. He just needed to beat his teammate, Anton Forsberg, as part of a friendly shootout.
Trading in his helmet for a backward cap, Batherson skated up ice. When he got close to Forsberg, he faked a between-the-legs move before pulling the puck forward and beating Forsberg with his backhand. Batherson twirled his stick before tucking it back like a sword remaining in its sheath.
Ok @drrakebatherson that was nasty 🤮#GoSensGo https://t.co/xKH57WJO94 pic.twitter.com/694muyr0w7
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) February 23, 2025
Batherson's confidence was displayed Sunday as a participant in the Sens Skills event at Canadian Tire Centre. Senators players were split into two teams and participated in events including the hardest shot, accuracy challenges and the shootout. Batherson won the hardest shot after launching the puck into the vacant cage at 104.4 miles per hour.
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'A few years ago, I was 103,' Batherson said. 'And then (Jakob) Chychrun and (Zack) MacEwen smoked me last year. So, I had to come back for some revenge this year.'
It had been less than 24 hours since Batherson and the Senators returned to NHL action after nearly two weeks away. Batherson had just come off his worst performance of the year in a 5-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens and didn't look as confident as he did Sunday. The winger ended the game with a season-worst minus-3 and had a hand in two goals against thanks to some mistakes in the defensive end.
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Takeaways: Senators desperately need Tkachuk, Pinto, Norris back for playoff chase
Batherson's game, much like his teammates' — save for Jake Sanderson and Tim Stützle — looked 'rusty.' But he's already moved on.
'You just got to turn the page,' Batherson said. 'Obviously, you're frustrated about the game. But you play so many games, you can't be dwelling on the games in the past, and just look forward to the next one.
'Thirteen days off is a long time and jumping right into it. So I think everyone will be better next game, including myself.'
The Senators need Batherson, among other players, to return to form over the next 25 games. In the absence of Shane Pinto and Josh Norris due to injuries, the Senators could use a win to snap their four-game losing streak. More is needed from the Senators' 23rd-ranked offence, which has had to deal with lengthy slumps from key players throughout the season.
Batherson has been mostly cold over his last 29 games since scoring a hat trick on Dec. 11 against the Anaheim Ducks. The winger even played through two 10-game goal-less droughts.
Batherson doesn't shy away from his struggles. But he appears confident enough that he could break his slide sooner rather than later. And while more is needed, he has six points in his last six games (two goals, four points). According to Hockey Reference, Batherson is still on pace for a career-best 68-point season.
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'I don't think it's been as hot as the start of the season was,' Batherson said. 'But as a player, I've gone through that before, where I've had months that are good and months that aren't great. And I always say the hardest thing in the NHL is staying consistent. It's something of a work in progress and (I'm) trying to pick at all the time. But you're going to go through slumps in your career, it's just about how fast you can get out of them.'
Batherson's laidback demeanour was likely helped by the theme of the day. The Nova Scotian was excited about showing off his skills to the fans and even signed autographs following the event. But he generally wants to keep things 'light' when things don't go his way. It means not talking about hockey with his friends, playing 'Call of Duty' on Xbox and taking his dogs out for walks.
'If you're worried about it all the time at home and thinking about it, it's not going to get better faster,' Batherson said. 'I think you've got to try and stay (as) positive as you can even though you're pretty frustrated at how it's going.'
With the Senators not back in action until Wednesday, fans will stare feverishly at the wild-card standings. The Senators currently hold on to a spot, and fans' fears can be eased if Batherson finds the back of the net a bit more consistently.
(Top photo of Drake Batherson skating beside Montreal's Patrik Laine: André Ringuette / NHLI via Getty Images)
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