The Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators close out the preseason on Saturday, September 26, with split-squad games in both Montreal and Ottawa. Each team will divide its roster into two groups, creating two separate matchups on the same day.
That setup makes the final preseason show more about evaluation than the scoreboard. Veterans are tuning up for the regular season, while fringe players still have one more chance to prove they belong.
Why the final preseason games matter
Late preseason games are usually about sorting out roles, not chasing momentum. Coaches use this stage to test different line combinations, compare depth options, and see which players handle tougher minutes.
For Montreal, the timing is especially important because camp runs through September 26 and the regular season opens against Toronto on September 29. That leaves very little room for players on the edge of the roster to make a lasting case.
Ottawa has a similar objective. With two games on the schedule, the Senators can spread ice time across more skaters and get a better look at who deserves more responsibility once the games start counting.
What the earlier meeting told us
The two teams have already crossed paths this preseason. Montreal edged Ottawa 3-2 in overtime on September 21 in Trois-Rivières, with Cole Caufield scoring twice in the comeback win.
That result is worth noting, but it is not a clean predictor for Saturday. Split-squad games can look dramatically different depending on which players dress in each city, and the goalie assignments can swing the pace and scoring outlook as well.
A lineup loaded with more regulars in one arena could produce a much different game than the one being played simultaneously elsewhere. The same idea applies to the crease, where the starter can reshape both the likely winner and the total-goals picture.
Betting angles to approach carefully
- Check both lineups before touching the moneyline. A team may look stronger on paper, but the price can already reflect that edge.
- Pay close attention to the goaltenders. Young netminders and experimental defensive pairs often point toward a higher-scoring game.
- Look at player props only after confirming usage. A forward projected for heavy minutes can be appealing, but preseason roles change quickly.
The biggest mistake is assuming familiar names will receive normal workloads. In exhibitions, top players often sit or play limited shifts, and power-play assignments are never guaranteed.
What to watch when the puck drops
The more useful story on Saturday will come from individual performances across both games. Watch which players earn difficult matchups, which combinations create the best looks, and who appears ready for a faster regular-season pace.
Those details will reveal more about Montreal and Ottawa than either final score alone. In a split-squad finish to the preseason, the real value comes from the auditions, not the standings.
