Split-Squad Spotlight: Montreal and Ottawa Chase One Last Impression

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, giving fans two separate matchups to follow on the same day.

That setup makes the evening about more than the scoreboard. Veterans are trying to lock in their final tune-up work, while fringe players are fighting for one last chance to secure a spot before the regular season begins.

Why the final preseason games matter

The last preseason date is less about the result and more about the choices behind it. Coaches use these games to test combinations, evaluate players in different roles, and decide who is ready for real NHL minutes.

For Montreal, the timing is especially important because training camp runs through September 26 and the regular-season opener against Toronto arrives on September 29. That leaves very little room for players on the bubble to make a lasting case.

Ottawa has the same pressure, but split-squad action gives the Senators a way to spread ice time across more players. The key details to watch are simple:

• Who gets power-play duty
• Who stays on late in a tight game
• Which goaltender handles the heavier workload

What the earlier meeting already showed

These teams have already faced each other once in preseason play. Montreal erased a deficit to beat Ottawa 3–2 in overtime on September 21 in Trois-Rivières, with Cole Caufield scoring twice.

Still, that result should not be treated like a direct preview of Saturday’s games. Split squads can look very different from one city to the other, especially if one side sends a more experienced forward group while the other leans on younger players.

Goaltending matters just as much. A different starter can change both the expected outcome and how appealing a goals total might look before puck drop.

Betting angles that depend on the lineups

Moneyline wagers should wait until the rosters are confirmed. One side may dress more regulars, but the market can already account for that edge. It is also important to make sure the sportsbook listing matches the correct venue.

Totals are heavily tied to the goaltenders. If a game features inexperienced netminders and defense pairs that have not played much together, the over may become more attractive. If the stronger lineup gets the more established goalie, that opinion can flip quickly.

Small player-prop bets can make sense in the right spot. A forward projected for extra minutes may offer value at the right price, but preseason rotations are unpredictable. A familiar name does not always mean full-game usage or a normal power-play role.

What fans should focus on Saturday

Instead of reading too much into one final score, the better approach is to track how players perform across both games. The real clues are in the details: difficult assignments, usable line combinations, and whether certain skaters can keep up with NHL pace.

Those performances will reveal far more about Montreal and Ottawa’s coming season than the preseason results alone.