Senators' Drake Batherson sets incredibly unique NHL record originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Drake Batherson has kept getting better.In fact, the Ottawa Senators' forward has done that so well that he now has an NHL record to his name.Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman shared this as part of his new 32 Thoughts article: Batherson has increased his point total in seven consecutive seasons.It started with a 9-point campaign.Since then, Batherson has gone 10, 34, 44, 62, 66, 68, 71.That's quite the feat -- and it wouldn't be impossible for Batherson to keep doing it.MORE: Sabres' playoff ticket costs are mind-blowingTechnically, this is now a tied record for Batherson.

Vic Stasiuk did it in the middle of the 20th century in a career that included Boston, Chicago and Detroit. Stasiuk's stretch went 0, 7, 19, 37, 40, 56, 60, 68.Friedman also notes that Nick Suzuki has six in a row of increased point totals -- but a 101-point campaign this year makes it tough for Suzuki to keep that going.Batherson, who will turn 28 years old during the playoffs, was a fourth-round pick by the Senators in 2017 but has turned into a star.This season, he played in 79 regular season games and had 33 goals and 38 assists for his 71 points.The 6-foot-3 center is an imposing presence and a gifted player, and it shows in the trend of his career stats.Ottawa's chances in the playoffs will hinge solidly on how good Batherson can play. And given that he's always improving, there's hope for him to put together a special postseason for the Senators.More NHL news:Maple Leafs' president brought AI trade pitches to deadline meetingsAlex Ovechkin reveals his retirement plansA Brady Tkachuk trade warning is in playOffseason trade still might be coming for SabresConnor McDavid makes 100-year hockey history with Wayne Gretzky