The Montréal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators close out preseason play on Saturday, September 26, with split-squad games in both Montréal and Ottawa. Each club is sending different groups of players into two separate matchups, which makes the night feel more like a roster evaluation than a standard exhibition.
That setup changes how the games should be read. The biggest names matter, but so do the depth forwards, young defensemen, and goaltenders who are fighting for a place on the opening-night roster.
Why the final preseason games carry extra weight
At this stage, the score is only part of the story. Coaches are using the last games to sort out line combinations, test players in different roles, and see who can handle regular-season pace.
For Montréal, the timing is especially tight because training camp runs through September 26 and the regular-season opener against Toronto arrives on September 29. That leaves little room for players on the bubble to make a final push.
Ottawa has the same kind of decision-making in front of it. With two games on the same day, the Senators can spread out ice time and get a longer look at more players before the preseason ends.
The previous meeting showed what these teams can do
The rivals already met earlier in the preseason, and Montréal came back to beat Ottawa 3-2 in overtime on September 21 in Trois-Rivières. Cole Caufield scored twice in that game, including the overtime winner.
Even so, that result should not be treated as a direct forecast for Saturday. Split squads can look very different from one city to the other, especially if one lineup includes more established NHL regulars than the other.
Goaltending matters just as much. A different starter can completely change the shape of a game and can also influence how attractive a goals bet looks.
Betting angles depend on the announced lineups
Anyone looking at the board should first confirm which version of the matchup is being listed. The Montreal game and the Ottawa game are not interchangeable, and the venue matters just as much as the opponent.
- Moneyline bets: Compare the actual lineups before assuming one side has the edge.
- Goals totals: Young goalies and mixed defensive pairings can open the door to more scoring.
- Player props: A forward projected for heavy usage can be worth a look if the price is reasonable.
Preseason usage is unpredictable, though. Familiar names do not always get full workloads, and power-play time is never guaranteed the way it is during the regular season.
What to watch beyond the final score
The most useful takeaway from Saturday will not be the result alone. It will be which players get difficult assignments, which combinations create chances, and who looks ready for a faster game when the standings begin to matter.
- Which skaters earn the toughest minutes?
- Which pairings or forward lines generate the most pressure?
- Which goaltenders look calm and organized under traffic?
Those details will tell fans far more about the coming season than either preseason score ever could.
