The Canadiens and Senators close out their preseason on Saturday, September 26, with split-squad games in Montreal and Ottawa. Each club will divide its roster, so the two matchups will feature different lineups even though the same teams are involved.
That setup makes the day more interesting than a normal preseason finale. Some players are simply polishing their game before the regular season, while others are fighting for one last chance to prove they belong.
Why the final preseason games matter
Preseason results matter less than the decisions coaches make along the way. These games help staffs test line combinations, evaluate players in unfamiliar roles, and figure out who deserves minutes when the games start counting.
For Montreal, the timing is especially important. Training camp runs through September 26, and the regular season opens against Toronto on September 29, so Saturday is the last big audition for players on the edge of the roster.
Ottawa has a similar goal. With two games on the schedule, the Senators can spread ice time across more players and learn who can handle meaningful shifts before the preseason ends.
What the earlier meeting already showed
These teams have already met once this preseason, and Montreal came away with a 3-2 overtime win over Ottawa on September 21 in Trois-Rivières. Cole Caufield scored twice in that game, including the decisive goal in extra time.
That result is useful as background, but it does not tell the full story for Saturday. Split squads change the matchup entirely, so the lineup in one city could look much stronger than the group playing in the other.
Goaltending matters just as much. A different starter can change the tempo, the scoring outlook, and the feel of the game from the opening faceoff.
Betting angles worth watching
- Check each lineup separately before looking at the moneyline, because one roster may feature far more established NHL players than the other.
- Confirm the venue and the specific game listed by your sportsbook, since Montreal and Ottawa are playing at the same time.
- Pay close attention to the goaltenders, because totals become far more volatile when younger netminders or experimental defensive pairings are involved.
- Player props can be tempting if a forward is expected to log heavy minutes, but preseason usage is unpredictable and regular-season expectations do not always carry over.
In other words, the smartest approach is to wait for the lineups before making any judgment on the odds. The names on the board matter less than which players are actually on the ice.
What to track beyond the final score
The most useful questions on Saturday are not about the result itself. They are about which players earn difficult assignments, which combinations generate chances, and which skaters look ready to move at regular-season speed.
If Montreal or Ottawa finds a promising line mix or a standout goaltending performance, that information will matter far more than the final preseason record. Saturday should reveal who is ready, who still needs work, and who may have forced a coach’s hand at the last moment.