Split-Squad Rivalry Sets Up a Final Test
The Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators close out preseason play on Saturday, September 26, with split-squad games in both Montreal and Ottawa. That setup gives each team two different looks on the same day and makes the final tune-up more about evaluation than the scoreboard.
For coaches, this is the last real chance to sort out roles, test line combinations, and decide which players are ready for the regular season. For fans, it means watching two separate games with different lineups instead of one straightforward matchup.
Why the final preseason games matter
These games are less about building a record and more about making decisions that shape opening night. Players on the bubble know this is their last opportunity to prove they belong, while established regulars are trying to sharpen their timing before the games start counting.
Montreal’s camp runs through September 26, and the team opens the regular season against Toronto on September 29. That leaves Saturday as the final stage for anyone trying to win a roster spot or earn a bigger role.
Ottawa faces a similar situation. With two games on the schedule, the Senators can spread out ice time, see more players in meaningful situations, and get a better sense of who can handle added responsibility.
| Team | Key preseason note | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Montreal Canadiens | Final camp date is September 26 | Line combinations, power-play usage, roster-bubble players |
| Ottawa Senators | Two split-squad games on the same day | Ice time distribution, goalie workload, special-teams roles |
The earlier meeting showed the rivalry already has edge
The teams have already faced each other once this preseason. Montreal came back to beat Ottawa 3-2 in overtime on September 21 in Trois-Rivières, with Cole Caufield scoring twice in that game.
That result is worth remembering, but it should not be treated as a direct preview of Saturday’s action. Split-squad games can look very different depending on which players are assigned to each arena and which goalie gets the start.
A stronger group of forwards in one city, or a different goaltending decision in the other, can change the entire feel of the matchup. That also affects how bettors should think about both the moneyline and the total.
Betting angles depend on the announced lineups
- Check each roster separately before looking at the moneyline. The advantage may belong to the side with more NHL regulars, but the price could already account for that.
- Wait for the goaltending news before judging the total. Young goalies and experimental defensive pairs can push a game toward the over, while experienced starters may make a lower-scoring game more likely.
- Player props can work if a skater is expected to log heavy minutes. Preseason roles are hard to predict, so avoid assuming a familiar name will play a normal workload or get its usual power-play chances.
The smartest approach is to treat each game as its own event. The venue, lineup strength, and goalie choice matter more than the familiar team names on the schedule.
What Saturday should reveal
The best takeaway will not be the final score from either rink. It will be the details: who handles tougher minutes, which combinations create chances, and which players look ready for the pace of the regular season.
Those answers will tell much more about the Canadiens and Senators than the preseason results themselves.
