To be the best, you’ve got to beat the best.

That’s the challenge the Ottawa Senators will face as they close out their trip through the Sunshine State with a Saturday night game against the two-time defending Stanley Cup-champion Florida Panthers at the Amerant Bank Arena.

Coming off a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in the season opener on Thursday night, the Senators may also be bolstered by the return of winger Drake Batherson, who missed that contest after pulling a muscle in practice on Sept. 24.

Batherson told reporters before he left Ottawa on Tuesday that he wouldn’t face the Lightnint, but hadn’t ruled out a return to the lineup against the Panthers, and, even if he didn’t play Saturday, he would be ready for the home opener against the Nashville Predators o

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