The Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators close out the preseason on Saturday, September 26, with two simultaneous split-squad games in Montreal and Ottawa. Each team will divide its roster into two groups, giving fans two separate matchups to follow at the same time.
That setup changes the way the night should be viewed. The focus is less on the scoreboard and more on which players look ready for the regular season, which line combinations work, and who earns one last serious look before opening night.
Why the final preseason games matter
For both clubs, these games are about evaluation rather than celebration. Coaches can test different roles, compare depth options, and decide which players deserve meaningful NHL minutes once the games start to count.
Montreal’s camp runs through September 26, and the team opens the regular season against Toronto on September 29. That leaves Saturday as the last chance for bubble players to make a strong case for a roster spot.
Ottawa is in a similar position. With two games on the schedule, the Senators can spread ice time across more players and get a clearer picture of who can handle tougher minutes, special-teams assignments, and late-game responsibility.
The earlier meeting offered a preview, not a blueprint
The rivals have already met once this preseason. On September 21 in Trois-Rivières, Montreal came from behind to beat Ottawa 3-2 in overtime, with Cole Caufield scoring twice and finishing the game with the winning goal.
That result is useful as a reference point, but it should not be treated as a direct predictor of Saturday’s games. Split-squad lineups can make one matchup look completely different from the other, especially if one side uses more established NHL forwards or a stronger goalie.
Goalie choice matters even more in a preseason setting. A game that features a young netminder and experimental defensive pairs can open up quickly, while a lineup backed by a more experienced starter may play tighter and produce a very different rhythm.
What bettors should examine before making a call
The first step is to identify which lineup the sportsbook is pricing. A team name alone does not tell the full story in split-squad action, and the venue matters just as much because one game is in Montreal and the other is in Ottawa.
Totals deserve special attention once the goaltenders are announced. An over can become attractive if the matchup features inexperienced goalies or makeshift defensive pairings, but that same angle can lose appeal if both clubs dress stronger lineups and start veterans in net.
Player props can also be useful, but only if ice time is likely to be substantial. Preseason usage is unpredictable, so a familiar name does not automatically mean full power-play work or a normal workload from start to finish.
Saturday’s best takeaway is the individual performance
The most valuable details will come from the players themselves, not the final scores. Watch which skaters are trusted in difficult situations, which combinations generate chances, and which goaltenders hold up under pressure.
Those clues reveal far more about the coming season than a preseason result ever could. For Montreal and Ottawa, Saturday is the final audition before the real games begin.
