The Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators will stage an unusual preseason night on Wednesday, September 23, with one game in Toronto and another in Ottawa, both set for 7 p.m. ET. It is a split-squad setup, so the two rosters are not the same in each building.
Why this preseason date stands out
This is not a standard exhibition game. Each club is dividing its camp players between a home group and a road group, which means fans get two versions of the same rivalry on the same night.
For coaches, the format is useful because it creates more chances to evaluate players before the regular season opens on September 29. For fans, it offers a rare chance to compare the depth of both teams in real time.
What to watch in Toronto and Ottawa
The biggest wrinkle is simple: the two games should be treated as separate matchups. The Senators may have one lineup in Ottawa and a different one in Toronto, and the Maple Leafs will do the same.
Ottawa enters the season after trading former captain Brady Tkachuk, then using the return to add William Eklund as part of a reshaped forward group. Toronto’s preseason slate is also limited, with its exhibition schedule against Montreal and Ottawa making up all four of its preseason games.
| Game | Location | Start Time | Main Betting Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maple Leafs vs. Senators | Toronto | 7 p.m. ET | Check the assigned lineup before judging the side |
| Senators vs. Maple Leafs | Ottawa | 7 p.m. ET | Confirm who is dressed, especially in goal |
How bettors should approach the matchup
- Wait for the official lineups before deciding on a wager.
- Review the starting goaltenders first, since a proven NHL netminder can change the value of a moneyline or total.
- Compare the number of established NHL skaters assigned to each venue instead of assuming the home team has the stronger group.
- Recheck the game total only after both rosters are clear, especially if either side is using younger defense pairs or inexperienced goalies.
- Be careful with player props, because a player must be in the correct game and may not see enough ice time to support a strong bet.
Best read on the game
There is no clean single prediction until the split squads and starting goalies are confirmed. The stronger roster in Toronto may not be the stronger roster in Ottawa, so each game has to be handicapped on its own.
The smartest angle is to look for lineup differences first and then compare them with the odds. If the market already reflects the gap in experience and goaltending, the best play may be to stay away and simply enjoy a rare two-game rivalry night.
