Two games, two arenas, one last preseason look
The Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators close out their preseason on Saturday, September 26, with split-squad games in both Montreal and Ottawa. Each team will divide its roster, sending one group to each city for simultaneous matchups.
That setup creates a different kind of final tune-up. Regulars are trying to sharpen their timing before opening night, while fringe players are fighting for one of the last roster spots. It also means the lineup sheet matters more than the team name when evaluating either game.
Why the final preseason games carry real weight
The score still matters, but the bigger story is evaluation. Coaches use these games to test line combinations, put players in different roles, and decide who looks ready for NHL minutes once the season begins.
For Montreal, the timing is especially tight. Training camp runs through September 26, and the regular-season opener against Toronto follows on September 29. That makes Saturday the last chance for bubble players to leave a strong impression.
Ottawa has a similar objective. With two games on the same day, the Senators can spread out ice time and get more players meaningful reps before the preseason ends. Watch for power-play assignments, late-game usage, and which goaltenders carry the heaviest load.
The earlier meeting showed the rivalry still has bite
The teams have already faced each other this preseason, and Montreal earned a 3-2 overtime win on September 21 in Trois-Rivières. Cole Caufield scored twice in that comeback victory, including the overtime winner.
Saturday’s rematch is not a simple repeat of that result. Because each club is using split squads, one game could feature more established NHL players while the other leans heavier on prospects and depth pieces. The goaltending choices could also change the tone and scoring outlook in a major way.
| Game | Location | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Montreal split-squad vs. Ottawa split-squad | Montreal | Roster battles, top-line usage, and goalie selection |
| Ottawa split-squad vs. Montreal split-squad | Ottawa | Special teams reps, late-game minutes, and lineup strength |
How bettors can approach the matchup
- Confirm which game your sportsbook is listing before looking at the moneyline. The venue and lineup strength may be very different from one matchup to the other.
- Check the starting goaltenders before considering the total. Young goalies and experimental defensive pairings can push a game toward the over, while a more established setup can make scoring harder to project.
- Look for player-prop angles only when a skater is expected to receive real ice time. Preseason usage is unpredictable, so a familiar name does not always mean a full workload or power-play duty.
What Saturday should reveal
Instead of focusing only on the final scores, the better takeaway is how each roster looks across both games. The most useful clues will come from who handles difficult minutes, which combinations generate chances, and which players appear ready for the faster pace of the regular season.
Those details will say far more about Montreal and Ottawa’s opening-night readiness than either preseason result on its own.
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